[Source: ISSA] The Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA) will conduct a series of on-site inspection visits to Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Iran, following the official submission of their bids to host the 2029 Islamic Solidarity Games.
The visits represent a key milestone in the continued development of the Islamic Solidarity Games, as ISSA works to strengthen the event’s future and expand opportunities for countries to host major multi-sport events.
They also come as the countdown continues to the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games – Riyadh 2025, which will bring together athletes from 57 countries in a celebration of sport, unity and shared values.
ISSA Secretary General Nasser Majali welcomed the strong interest from the candidate countries, noting that it reflects the growing stature of the Islamic Solidarity Games and their increasing role in advancing sport at both regional and international levels.
“It is extremely encouraging to see three passionate and capable countries come forward to host the next edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games,” said Majali.
“These inspection visits represent a key phase in the evaluation process to ensure the Games are delivered to the highest standards for our athletes and National Olympic Committees, in full partnership with the host country.
“They also reaffirm ISSA’s commitment to enabling more member countries to benefit from hosting major international sports events and contributing to the continued development of sport across all regions.”
Following an initial evaluation process, six member countries submitted formal letters of interest to ISSA to host the next edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games. After further discussions and assessments, Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Iran proceeded to submit their full hosting bids.
The inspection visits are being led by the ISSA Secretary General, accompanied by members of the ISSA Sport Commission, to review the candidate countries’ facilities, infrastructure and organizational plans ahead of the final hosting decision.
The Riyadh 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games will welcome around 3,500 athletes from 57 countries, competing across 23 sports from 7 to 21 November 2025, marking the event’s return to Saudi Arabia two decades after the inaugural edition in 2005.
Category: Event Bidding
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Three nations bid for 2029 Islamic Solidarity Games
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The five factors behind successful mega-event bids
[Source: WePlan] As the world prepares to mark 100 days to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, a new study highlights the recurring factors that determine the outcome of major-event candidatures.
Based on lessons from Expo 2030 Riyadh and Milano Cortina 2026, the analysis points to five decisive elements in winning bids: governance clarity, narrative coherence, stakeholder unity, operational viability, and alignment with long-term development plans.
The findings are set out in the first edition of the WePlan Knowledge Paper series, a collection of publications that will explore different phases in the lifecycle of mega-events.
A key feature of this first paper is the USP Positioning Framework, a methodology designed to help bidders identify and validate their true differentiators. The framework addresses a common weakness in candidatures: the tendency to present local strengths as unique without testing them against the priorities of rights-holders or the positioning of competitors.
“Candidatures are no longer judged only on ambition or technical capacity. They are evaluated on credibility, sustainability, and alignment with wider strategies,” said Roberto Daneo, co-founder of WePlan. “With this Knowledge Paper we want to contribute to a more disciplined, transparent, and legacy-oriented approach to winning bids.”
Giorgio Re, co-founder of WePlan, added: “Expo 2030 Riyadh and Milano Cortina 2026 provide valuable examples of how vision and delivery capacity can come together. Our Knowledge Paper series is designed to make these lessons available to future bidders and stakeholders.”
About the Knowledge Paper series
The WePlan Knowledge Paper series will cover the full lifecycle of mega-events in four publications:Winning Mega-Event Candidatures (October 2025)
Transition and Early Stage Planning (January 2026)
Operational Readiness (April 2026)
Event-time and Dissolution (July 2026)Each edition will draw on WePlan’s experience across multiple international projects and propose structured tools to support cities, regions, and organisers in managing the complexity of world-scale events.
The first Knowledge Paper is available for free download on https://www.we-plan.eu/knowledge-papers. -
Ahmedabad one step closer to becoming host of 2030 Commonwealth Games
Just last month, India and Nigeria submitted formal proposals to host the centenary edition of the Games, and six weeks later, it looks set to go in the direction of the most-populous country in the world.
Confirming Ahmedabad, also known as Amdavad, as the 2030 host city now relies on a vote, set to take place at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26 2025.
The Scottish city will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games as a late replacement for the Australian state of Victoria, who withdrew as host in 2023. In December, it will host the twelfth edition of Host City.
The recommendation to award the Games to India comes after a “detailed process” from the Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee, which assessed candidate cities’ capabilities in areas such as technical delivery, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance and “alignment with Commonwealth Sport values” based on the “Games Reset” principles outlined by the organisation.
Commonwealth Sport added that both Ahmedabad and the Nigerian capital Abuja submitted “compelling proposals” in their bids. Despite missing out, there is a glimmer of hope for Nigeria. The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board agreed to develop a strategy that would support the country’s ambition to host a future Commonwealth Games, including in 2034.
Dr. Donald Rukare, Interim President of Commonwealth Sport, said: “We are grateful to both India and Nigeria for the vision and commitment they have shown in developing proposals to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Both proposals were inspiring, reflecting the scale of opportunity within our Commonwealth family.
“The Executive Board has carefully considered the Evaluation Committee’s findings and is recommending Amdavad to our membership. This is a significant milestone for the Movement as we look to our Centenary Games, and we now look ahead to the General Assembly in Glasgow where our members will make the final decision.
“The Board were impressed with the vision and ambition of Nigeria’s proposal and were united in our commitment to continue working with their team to explore future hosting opportunities. This decision reflects our determination to take the Commonwealth Games to the African continent.”
Dr. P T Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, said: “It would be an extraordinary honour for India to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in Amdavad. The Games would not only showcase India’s world-class sporting and event capabilities, but also play a meaningful role in our national journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
“We see the 2030 Games as a powerful opportunity to inspire our youth, strengthen international partnerships and contribute to a shared future across the Commonwealth.”
Viksit Bharat 2047 is a vision project from the Indian Government to make the country a developed nation by the centenary anniversary of India’s independence. India previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi. The awarding of the 2030 Commonwealth Games fares well for India’s ambitions to host a future edition of the Olympic Games.
An African nation has never hosted the Commonwealth Games. South Africa has twice been awarded, but would not go on to host. Johannesburg was the original host city for the 1934 edition, but this was moved to London due to concerns over the treatment of non-white athletes. Durban has awarded the 2022 event, but was stripped due to financial constraints. Birmingham was instead awarded hosting rights.
Harare, Zimbabwe, then known as Salisbury as part of the colonial federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, submitted a bid for the 1966 Games, while Nigeria has been unsuccessful on three attempts – Lagos in 1982 and Abuja in both 2014 and 2030.
The multi-sport event first took place in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada, and was formerly known as the British Empire Games, the British Empire and Commonwealth Games and British Commonwealth Games until adopting its current name for the 1978 edition in Edmonton. -
Munich receives public boost for Olympic Games ambition
Residents of Munich have backed the city’s bid to host the Olympic Games by two thirds, giving the green light to bring the Summer Games to Bavaria in 2036, 2040 or 2044.
A referendum found 66.4 percent of voters supported the measure, which means the city remains in the fight to become the chosen host city of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), who look set to bid for the 2036 event. Capital city Berlin is also in contention, alongside Hamburg and the Rhine-Ruhr region – which hosted the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games.
Hamburg and Rhine-Ruhr are expected to follow Munich in hosting local referendums, while Berlin has no plans to do so. Berlin’s bid also survived a potential collapse when the city’s Sports Minister, Iris Spranger, kept her position following a no-confidence vote in the House of Representatives. This was motioned by the Green Party and The Left, two of the major political parties on the centre-left and left respectively. Spranger, representing the centre-left Social Democratic Party, remains in place after being supported by her party and their coalition partners, the conservative Christian Democratic Union. This vote took place after concerns over correct procedures related to transparency over public funds.
Hamburg had aimed to bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics, which went to Paris, but a referendum found 51.6 percent of the population rejected the proposal.
Munich’s referendum was the highest of its kind compared to other sporting questions. 42 percent of the eligible electorate participated, a higher turnout than the previous turnout record of 37.5 percent for the referendum held in 2001 to approve the construction of the Allianz Arena, the future home of football club Bayern Munich.
Munich Mayor, Dieter Reiter, expressed his delight following the result stating: “This result is far more than a yes to the Olympics. It is a yes to bold, sustainable, and inclusive urban development.”
In 2013, the city’s residents rejected a proposed bid for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games – which would have made it the first city to host the Summer and Winter editions. This was instead won by Beijing, who became the first city to host both.
2036 would be a notable landmark for a German bid – coming 100 years after the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games, which is considered to be a shameful mark in sporting history, hosted under the regime of Nazi Germany. For the Bavarian city, it will also be an opportunity to revisit their past and have a second chance. The Munich 1972 Games are remembered for the kidnapping and murder of 11 Israeli Olympic team members and one police officer by the militant organisation Black September. The decision for the Games to continue afterwards remains controversial today.
While Germany is expected to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, an official bid will not be launched until the DOSB confirm its candidate city in late 2026. Ahmedabad, India, is the latest city to bid for the event, joining Qatar’s capital city Doha, Turkish city Istanbul and Santiago, the capital city of Chile. -
Ahmedabad confirmed as hosts for 2030 Commonwealth Games
The decision confirms that the world’s most populous nation will stage the landmark edition of the Games, after delegates of the 74 Commonwealth member nations and territories ratified India’s bid at today’s Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow.
India presented a compelling vision for the 2030 Games, centred in the Gujarat city of Amdavad (Ahmedabad), which will build on foundations laid by Glasgow 2026, enabling India to celebrate the centenary in style.
Moments after Amdavad was announced as hosts of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, 20 Garba dancers and 30 Indian dhol drummers burst into the General Assembly Hall, surprising delegates with a rich cultural performance that provided a taste of the heritage and pride that Athletes and fans can expect from a Games hosted in the Indian state of Gujarat.
Garba is a dance that originated in Gujarat and the performance featured members of Glasgow’s Indian community, and those from other parts of the Commonwealth, in a show of both diversity and unity across the Movement to start the journey from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games to the Centenary edition.
The first Commonwealth Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada. Australia topped the medal table at the most recent Games, staged in Birmingham, England, in 2022, with the rest of the top five made up of England, Canada, India and New Zealand.
Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport said: “This is the start of a new golden era for Commonwealth Sport. After a ‘Games reset’ we head to Glasgow 2026 in fantastic shape to welcome the 74 teams of the Commonwealth before setting our sights on Amdavad 2030 for a special Centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games.
“India brings scale, youth, ambition, rich culture, enormous sporting passion and relevance, and I’m delighted to report strong interest from a range of nations to host the 2034 Games and beyond. We start our next century for the Commonwealth Games in good health.”
Dr, PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India said: “We are deeply honoured by the trust shown by Commonwealth Sport. The 2030 Games will not only celebrate a hundred years of the Commonwealth Movement but also lay the foundation for the next century. It will bring together Athletes, communities, and cultures from across the Commonwealth in a spirit of friendship and progress.”
The Sports Programme
In addition to confirming the hosts for 2030, Commonwealth Sport also confirmed that 15 – 17 sports will feature at Amdavad 2030.
The Amdavad 2030 team will work closely with Commonwealth Sport and the International Federation community to shape a dynamic and exciting sport programme with strong local resonance and global appeal.
This will follow Commonwealth Sport’s recently concluded Sport Programme Review which outlines the sports which will feature at the Commonwealth Games: Athletics and Para Athletics, Swimming and Para Swimming, Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, Bowls and Para Bowls, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Artistic Gymnastics, Netball and Boxing.
The process to finalise the remainder of the programme will start next month, and the full Centenary Games line-up will be announced next year.
The sports under consideration are: Archery, Badminton, 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cricket T20, Cycling, Diving, Hockey, Judo, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Rugby Sevens, Shooting, Squash, Triathlon and Para Triathlon and Wrestling.
The host can also propose up to two new or traditional sports.
Duncan Scott, multiple Commonwealth Champion swimmer, said: “The Commonwealth Games are a special part of my career. Taking part in a home Games is incredible, so I’m excited for Indian Athletes who’ll get to do that in 2030. And for everyone else we’ve got an opportunity to expand our horizons and experience the ambition and colour of Amdavad and India. I loved the chance to compete in the Gold Coast in Australia as part of a travelling Team Scotland.
“We look forward to handing over the Games to Amdavad in great shape after welcoming all to Glasgow next year.”
Jaismine Lamboria, World Champion boxer from India, said: “It truly is a proud moment to see India become the host of the Centenary Commonwealth Games. Amdavad will give Athletes and fans a very warm and vibrant welcome, and having the opportunity to compete on home soil in 2030 will be a huge motivation for me and for many others. I’m excited for the next decade for Indian sport.” -
Three cities enter targeted dialogue with IOC for 2030 Youth Olympic Games
[Source: IOC] The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) Executive Board (EB) has invited Asunción Paraguay; Bangkok, Thailand; and Santiago, Chile into a Targeted Dialogue towards electing a host for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2030. All three are now considered Preferred Hosts.
KEY FACTSThe International Olympic Committee has invited Asunción Paraguay; Bangkok, Thailand; and Santiago, Chile into a Targeted Dialogue towards electing a host for the Youth Olympic Games 2030.
The IOC will now start more detailed discussions with the Preferred Hosts.
The aim is to elect the host of YOG 2030 in 2026.The IOC will now start more detailed discussions with the Preferred Hosts, led by their National Olympic Committees (NOCs), with the aim of electing the host in 2026 to give the future organising committee sufficient time to prepare the event.
The EB decision is based on a proposal by the IOC’s Working Group on the Youth Olympic Games chaired by the IOC Member in Slovakia, Danka Hrbeková. The Targeted Dialogue is subject to the Preferred Hosts accepting preliminary proposals to reform the YOG, related to the 2030 edition.
“We were deeply impressed by the potential of these three projects to deliver spectacular and sustainable Youth Olympic Games. All three can offer recent experience of hosting international events in multiple sports, 100% existing or temporary competition venues, full political support and a shared vision that the YOG can help to achieve a better and more active future for their country’s youth”, said Danka Hrbeková, IOC Member in Slovakia and Chair of the IOC’s YOG Working Group.
The YOG Working Group will continue to study the potential and relevance of future editions of the YOG to benefit young athletes and the entire sports movement, in consultation with stakeholders such as the International Federations (IFs), the NOCs and continental organisations, as part of the Fit for the Future review process.
“The strong interest in the 2030 edition from new regions of the world demonstrates the value that potential hosts see in the Youth Olympic Games,” said Hrbeková. “The YOG have offered tens of thousands of young athletes and volunteers a unique, global, multi-sports experience, helping to form the basis for their future careers. The YOG are also an important laboratory for innovation in Olympic sports events.”
All three projects are aligned with local and national long-term plans for development, sports, education and health, to deliver a wide range of socio-economic community benefits.
They were put forward for Targeted Dialogue based on their unique opportunities:
Asunción, Paraguay100% existing or temporary competition venues, and expertise and capabilities developed during the delivery of the 2025 Junior Pan American Games
A single cluster that would ensure festive celebrations of the YOG
Strong local and national government support, including a commitment to fund 95% of the YOGOC budgetRead the full IOC Feasibility Assessment for Asunción, Paraguay.
Bangkok, Thailand100% existing or temporary infrastructure, including a university campus in Bangkok for the main Youth Olympic Village
One urban and one beach cluster to ensure a memorable YOG for the athletes
Strong support from the local and national government, with a commitment to fund 80% of the YOGOC budgetRead the full IOC Feasibility Assessment for Bangkok, Thailand.
Santiago, Chile100% existing or temporary competition venues, and expertise and capabilities developed during the delivery of the 2023 Pan American Games
One urban and one coastal cluster that would have distinct characters and ensure a good YOG experience for the athletes
Strong local and national government support, including the commitment to fund 70% of the YOGOC budget plus any shortfall, and to guarantee the construction of the Youth Olympic VillageRead the full IOC Feasibility Assessment for Santiago, Chile.
The IOC feasibility assessments reflect information gathered during Continuous Dialogue through regular meetings and exchanges with the Interested Parties. In accordance with Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC consulted detailed information from independent third-party sources.
During Targeted Dialogue, the Preferred Hosts will be asked to submit a response to the IOC’s Future Host Questionnaire for Summer YOG, as well as a list of guarantees signed by the respective authorities.
At the end of the process, the EB will assess if one, two or three projects have met the requirements to be considered by IOC Members when they vote on the host of the 2030 YOG in mid-2026.
The next YOG will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from 31 October to 13 November 2026. This edition was postponed from 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last Summer YOG took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2018.
Find out more about hosting the YOG. -
Uzbekistan highlights evolution as event host ahead of OCA General Assembly
Uzbekistan will host the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly on 26 January in Tashkent, with authorities using the occasion to outline recent developments in the country’s sporting structure and event-hosting capacity.
A statement released ahead of the Assembly pointed to a period of expanded international engagement, competitive results and infrastructure investment as evidence of the country’s growing role within regional and global sport. The statement said these efforts were part of a longer-term strategy aligned with national sports policy.
Competitive highlights include the national football team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first in the country’s history, following success at regional level. The statement also cited Uzbekistan’s 13th-place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, along with medal performances at youth and para-sport events during 2025.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, commenting during a visit to Tashkent in 2025, described Uzbekistan as “a football nation that is implementing large-scale projects,” and noted the opening of the National Football Center.
Infrastructure projects completed during the past year include Olympic City, a multi-venue sports complex opened in August 2025. The site has been designated as the main hub for the 4th Asian Youth Games scheduled for 2029.
Otabek Umarov, First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Uzbekistan and OCA Vice President for Central Asia, said recent outcomes reflected “the coordinated work of athletes, coaches, federations and specialists across the sports system.”
In addition to the upcoming OCA General Assembly, Uzbekistan has hosted several international sports meetings and competitions in recent years. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, following the FIA Annual General Assemblies in Tashkent in 2025, said the visit demonstrated “a clear focus on long-term development and youth.”
Looking ahead, Uzbek sports authorities confirmed that the 2026 calendar includes the World Triathlon Championship Series in Samarkand (25-26 April), the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand (15-28 September), and the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Tashkent (8-10 October). -
SportAccord Convention confirmed for Baku, 9-13 May 2027
[Source: SportAccord] SportAccord today confirmed that the SportAccord Convention will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 9-13 May 2027. Following the postponement of the 2026 edition, SportAccord and its partners in Azerbaijan have worked closely together to secure dates that will deliver the best possible experience for all participants.
Baku, recently named World Capital of Sport, will provide an exceptional setting for what promises to be one of the most anticipated editions of the Convention in recent years, bringing together leaders from the International Olympic Committee, International Federations, host cities, rights holders, and the wider sports industry.
SportAccord President Prof. Dr. U?ur Erdener said: “Baku holds a special significance for me, and I have no doubt it will deliver an extraordinary edition of our Convention. The commitment shown by our Azerbaijani partners throughout this process has been exceptional. This edition will also mark an important moment for SportAccord itself, as we continue to evolve our vision for what this Convention can and should be for the global sports movement.”
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, H.E. Farid Gayibov said: “Baku is ready. As World Capital of Sport, the city looks forward to welcoming the global sports community and delivering a Convention that reflects our ambition and our enduring partnership with SportAccord. We are confident that 9-13 May 2027 will mark a defining moment for the future of international sport.”
SportAccord is also continuing to build a strong programme of initiatives for the remainder of 2026, with further updates to follow in the coming weeks. With SportAccord in advanced discussions with several world-class cities regarding future editions of the Convention, the organisation expects to announce additional host locations for the coming years, reflecting a strong and exciting pipeline ahead. -
Glasgow to host the 2027 European Cross Country Championships
[Source: British Athletics] Working in partnership with Glasgow Life, VisitScotland and Athletic Ventures, UKA is delighted to bring the Championships to Glasgow for the first time. It will be 24 years after the event was last staged in the UK, when the 10th edition took place at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh in 2003.
Given Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s historic success at the European Cross Country Championships, topping the medal table across three decades with 201 medals, including 81 gold, competing on home soil will be a major highlight for British athletes aiming for podium finishes.
The 2027 Championships will take place in the iconic Bellahouston Park, renowned for hosting major concerts during Glasgow Summer Sessions, Papal visits, and the 1978 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
This bid win comes at an exciting time for UK Athletics, with the Novuna GB & NI team achieving their highest-ever medal table finish at the recent World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun, securing four gold medals.
With a packed summer ahead, including Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the UK hosting the European Athletics Championships for the first time in Birmingham, UKA is proud to continue showcasing the nation’s strong track record in delivering world-class international athletics events.
Jack Buckner, UK Athletics CEO on behalf of Athletic Ventures said: “We are delighted for Glasgow to be awarded as hosts for the European Cross Country Championships in 2027. Cross country is at the heart of athletics in the UK with many of our top runners beginning their journey on the muddy routes, making this an incredibly special competition to be hosting. We have a rich history of top performances from a Novuna GB & NI team perspective, so bringing this event back to the UK where it first began will be one not to be missed!
This competition will come after an already exciting time for athletics in the UK, hosting the European Athletics Championships this August and we want to thank European Athletics for continuing to entrust us with hosting their events,
We know this championship will create an incredible atmosphere and showcasing why this country loves cross country and we cannot wait to get started.”
Cherry Alexander, European Athletics Vice President said: “I am incredibly excited to bring this competition back to the UK, having worked on the inaugural event in Alnwick way back in 1994 it feels like a very special full circle. We know the UK, and specifically Scotland have a rich history with cross country and I am looking forward to seeing what Athletic Ventures, UK Athletics, Glasgow Life, and UK Sport create for Glasgow 2027.”
Glasgow Life Head of Events, Julie Pearson, said:?“We’re delighted Glasgow has been chosen to host, for the first time, the SPAR European Cross Country Championships and look forward to working with partners to stage this prestigious event in 2027.
“Glasgow is renowned internationally as an expert, friendly host for world-class sporting events. Global athletics highlights that have demonstrated the city’s strong track record include the?1978 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, 1990 European Athletics Indoor Championships, 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships, and 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships. And the 2026 Commonwealth Games will further cement Glasgow’s reputation as a trusted destination for showcasing exceptional athletics.
“Our city is committed to encouraging and inspiring participation in sport and physical activity to make a positive impact that benefits Glasgow and its communities – and leveraging the power of major sustainable and inclusive events is key to that. The SPAR Cross Country Championships offers a valuable opportunity to unite and enthuse competitors and spectators from near and far, so we can’t wait to welcome everyone to Bellahouston Park in the heart of Glasgow for the event’s 33rd?iteration, and ensure its success.”
Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland, said: “Glasgow is the perfect stage for hosting world-class sporting events and so it’s fantastic that the city has been chosen for the 33rd SPAR European Cross Country Championships in 2027. The decision is a testament to work carried out by partners to bring the event to Glasgow and adds to the growing roster of events coming to Scotland next year.
“Events not only help boost the local visitor economy but play an important role in our communities, helping bring social and economic benefits to the areas where they are held. We look forward to the return of the Championships to Scotland.”