The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on Wednesday announced in Auckland, New Zealand, that Durban will host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, making South Africa’s third largest city the first African city to host the event.

The announcement was made by British sports administrator Louise Martin‚ who had earlier on been elected as the Commonwealth Games Federation’s first female president. The 71-nation backed bid was decided by the CGF’s general assembly.

Fikile Mbalula’s Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) was first to break the news locally when it tweeted: “Congratulations Durban on your successful bid to be the first – African City to host the Commonwealth Games”

Before the decision was made, the CGF delegates received a final ‘Candidate City Briefing’ from amongst others South Africa’s Minister for Sport Fikile Mbalula and Durban’s Mayor James Nxumalo.

Durban was only the city vying to host the 2022 event after the Canadian city of Edmonton withdrew its bid because of economic concerns in the wake of the drop in worldwide oil prices.

Just ahead of the announcement, Gideon Sam, president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) told the media: “It is the turn of South Africa to hold this great event. We believe our time has come and that South Africa can put on a show that will do the Commonwealth Games proud.”

The Commonwealth Games, formerly known as the British Empire Games, is a four-yearly, multi-sport event that was first staged in 1930. Some 4 500 athletes will participate in the next event in the Gold Coast City, Australia’s host of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Last week, Chairman of the Durban 2022 Bid Committee Mark Alexander said the South African government has decided to back the bid and that Durban Games would use infrastructure from the 2010 football World Cup, including the 85 000-seat Moses Mabhida Stadium, to keep costs down.

The Durban Games are set to start with the opening ceremony on July 18, 2022. July 18 is also the birthday of South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela, who passed away in 2013 aged 95.

Earlier on Wednesday, the CGF assembly in Auckland voted for Malaysia’s Prince Tunku Imran to be replaced as president in favour of Britain’s Martin.