'No chance' for Glasgow 2014 bid

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Glasgow's only competitor in the race to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games has said the city has "no chance".

The Abuja 2014 bid team hopes to host the Games in Africa for the first time.

Mitchell Obi, of the team, said: "The support from fellow African countries has been quite overwhelming and Glasgow for sure has no chance."

Derek Casey, Glasgow 2014 bid director, said he hoped the only criteria used by voters is which city is best for Commonwealth athletes.

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"It is important the Games go to Africa at some point," he said.

"It is up to the voters to decide if it is the right time and is it the right country."

The Commonwealth Games have never been staged in Africa and the bid team said they had the support of the African and Caribbean Commonwealth associations.

They need 36 votes from 71 associations.

Public support

Africa has 18 associations and the Caribbean has 15, totalling 33.

Mitchell Obi, of the bid team, told the BBC Scotland news website: "Support has been increasing by the day.

"We have received considerable support all round, more than anything we have a bid appealing to so many in the Commonwealth family.

"We believe we are prepared, have what is takes to host the games, all round support has given us confidence to win the bid and we'll just give it our best shot."

Oluwashina Okeleji, BBC sport reporter in Nigeria, said the bid team was confident but still had a "job to do" in winning the public's backing.

He said: "People are not really aware of the bid.

"There are some mumblings of discontent among people who consider the games as non-beneficiary to them.

"They feel it doesn't have an impact on their own lives."

The final decision will be made by the Commonwealth Games Federation in Sri Lanka in November.