Nigel Huddleston defends Commonwealth Games but admits new host countries needed

Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston launched an impassioned defence of the Commonwealth Games but accepted a “much more diverse” range of host countries is required going forwards.

Amid several nations, including Barbados and Jamaica, either removing the Queen as head of state or signalling they intend to do so, the modern relevancy of the Games has come under increasing scrutiny.

But Huddleston was adamant there is still a place in the sporting landscape for the event, which Birmingham will stage over the next couple of weeks, stepping in for the South African city of Durban.

Huddleston told the PA news agency: “The Commonwealth still has resonance and value, particularly in a diverse city like Birmingham where there’s a lot of people who have come from the Commonwealth.

“It does have meaning. It might not be what it was in the past but it’s evolving and changing, and that focus on values and what can unite us is key.

“It’s a great opportunity to celebrate coming together and sport can unite in a way that few other things can.

“We will have an amazing TV audience – around the world there will be hundreds of millions of people that watch this.

“The Commonwealth itself is really important but the Commonwealth Games are a bit of cement that holds it all together as well.”

Only on three previous occasions in 1966, 1998 and 2010 have the Games been held away from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, with that trend set to continue this year and in 2026.

Birmingham fulfils the duties that were taken away from Durban, which was stripped of host city status because of financial constraints, while the Australian state of Victoria will stage the event in four years.

Having discussed the issue with Dame Louise