Hosts Durban miss key deadline for 2022 Commonwealth Games

Fireworks make the end of the closing ceremony at Hampden Park, making the end of the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Photo / Greg Bowker

South Africa remains fully committed to hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Durban despite failing to meet this week's deadline to resolve a number of issues.

A local organising committee wasn't set up within 180 days of winning the bid and they haven't deposited an initial payment of $2.42m.

A South African government spokesperson says they're still fully committed to hosting the Games.

"The criteria are the solid foundations upon which any successful Games and legacy plan [are] built. Every prospective host city must meet these criteria," a Commonwealth Games Foundation spokesman said.

"The CGF has now received final submissions from the Durban bid team against these criteria and will evaluate the submissions thoroughly before making a final recommendation to the CGF executive board on Durban's ability to host the Games in accordance with its original bid and the conditions of the award."

"This process and any final decision may take up to six weeks, given the importance of the matter," the spokesman said.

Durban remains the only city with a confirmed bid after Edmonton in Canada withdrew in February.

The Commonwealth Games have never been held in Africa.