2018 Commonwealth Games bidder Hambantota has been placed in the middle of the Wikileaks controversy after it was revealed that the United States Government believed that the Chinese were bribing Sri Lankan officials to win contracts linked to the redevelopment of the city.

The tsunami ravaged international airport, international port and railway line in Hambantota is being redeveloped by China in a major infrastructural development phase.

The new $1.5 billion Port is located about two kilometres from one of the world’s biggest east-west shipping lanes and is expected to attract up to 2,500 ships each year when it is fully open.

Phase One of the new Hambantota Port was constructed by the China Harbour Engineering Company at a cost of $360 million.

“It is likely that corruption and political patronage are significant factors playing into the focus on Hambantota,” said the cable sent from the US Embassy in Sri Lankan capital Colombo published on WikiLeaks.

“Often when Chinese companies win contracts, their success is due in part on their widespread distribution of graft to senior Sri Lankan Government officials.

“While it is currently unknown to what extent President Mahinda Rajapaksa is involved in Hambantota development, it seems logical that his hand is also out when commercial enterprises, especially the Chinese, jockey for contracts and projects.”

The Embassy cable also said: “There has not yet been private investment in the Hambantota Region, which could be a hard sell.

“Hambantota is located in the rural south, far from Colombo, there are no significant industrial industries nearby, so at least initially Hambantota will not benefit from local exports and imports. The Hambantota project has been Government directed, although private investment could emerge later if the project becomes commercially viable.”

In a comment to its observations, the US Embassy notes: “With Chinese and other foreign assistance, the GSL (Government of Sri Lanka), SLPA (Sri Lanka Ports Authority), and UDA (Urban Development Authority) are pushing ahead with plans rapidly and robustly to develop Hambantota.

“When the GSL master plan is completed, Hambantota will have a new seaport, international airport, rail links, roads, and local infrastructure. Despite this, there are no near-term prospects for significant commercial investment. The ‘international’ airport will only be used for charter flights.”

But Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the Hambantota 2018 co-chairman and Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, told explained during a visit to Britain last December that China’s influence in Hambantota had been exaggerated.

“China is just one of many countries who are investing in the region, along with India, Britain, Germany and the European Union, Sri Lanka has many friends.”

A decision on which city will host the 2018 Commonwealth Games is due to be made at the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11.

English Super League team, Widnes Vikings have appointed Matt Beech to their Board of Directors.

Beech, owner of Maltacourt, is known to be a Vikings fan and CEO James Rule has spoken of his joy at bringing the businessman aboard.

“I am delighted to welcome Matt onto the Board of Directors. He shares the vision and values that both Steve (O’Connor, director) and I have, and has an enormous passion for our club,” said Rule.

“As a local man who has supported the Vikings throughout his life, he recognises the key role that we have to play, not just on the field but also off it, within the wider community of Halton.”

Rule was also enthusiastic about skills and knowledge Beech will bring to the club, adding: “Matt has been very successful in business. His knowledge and network will add real value to our Board structure.

“The investment he has made in taking equity in the Vikings will be integral in facilitating the continued evolution of our Club.

“In late April, we announced that we were seeking to build a new Board structure. Just six weeks later, I am extremely pleased to announce the fact that we have been able to attract somebody of Matt’s calibre to join our Board. I look forward to working with him.”

Beech spoke about his excitement in his new role.

“Putting something back into the community that one comes from is a principle that I’m passionate about,” he explained. “Having grown up in Runcorn and spending a large part of my working life in Widnes, I’m delighted to be able to help with the continuing development of the Widnes Vikings.”

The Vikings currently lie in 11th place in the Super League table but Beech is confident that they can improve both on and off the pitch

ailment helvetica, diagnosis sans-serif”>The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announces that Nature Valley has become the official cereal snack bar supplier to London 2012 in a tier three sponsorship deal becoming the 43rd domestic sponsor overall.

The deal will see Nature Valley cereal bars, the no.1 crunchy cereal snack bar brand in the UK & Ireland and one of General Mills UK’s fastest growing brands, sold at London 2012 concessions within venues and distributed to athletes, Games-time workforce and volunteers. 

Nature Valley is the no.1 crunchy cereal bar brand in the UK & Ireland, and is available in several flavours including Oats n Honey and Canadian Maple Syrup. It is made from rolled wholegrain oats with other wholesome ingredients such as honey.

General Mills UK Managing Director Jim Moseley said: “Nature Valley is driving accelerated growth in the cereal bar category and we are proud to play our part in the 2012 Olympic Games. To become part of such a celebrated global event is a natural fit for a globally successful brand like Nature Valley.”

LOCOG Commercial Director Chris Townsend added: “It’s less than a year before the Games and this demonstrates the level of detail we have got to in our planning.  Providing snacks and sustenance to our huge workforce is important and Nature Valley will help us do that.  We’re delighted to welcome Nature Valley to the London 2012 family.  We are now approaching our targets and we are thrilled with the calibre of our commercial partners who are world class organisations helping us to stage the Games.”

England’s capital city London today celebrates the one-year-to-go landmark for its hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games as the countdown begins to the start of the event, which begins on July 27 2012.

The London 2012 Aquatics Centre is being unveiled this morning as the final permanent Olympic Park venue to be completed after the Olympic Stadium, Velodrome, multi-use Handball Arena, basketball arena and the International Broadcast Centre (IBC). The final cost of the 17,500-capacity Aquatics Centre has totaled around US$381 million.

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: “With construction now complete on the Aquatics Centre, we are another step closer to the spectacular Olympic Park which will be host to world class sport in 2012.”

Olympic Delivery Authority chairman John Armitt added: “Five years ago, in July 2006, we published a delivery timetable which set out the ambitious target to complete the main venues a year before the Games. Today, I am proud to say that we have delivered on that commitment.”

Meanwhile UK Sports Minister Hugh Robertson has admitted London’s transport network will be an obstacle that London still needs to overcome.

“It is a challenge,” said Robertson. “It was a challenge at the time of the bid and it remains a challenge now. London is a full and busy city. There are four things we’re doing to try and mitigate this risk: investment in transport infrastructure, the Javelin train that will produce significant extra capacity, the Olympic Route Network and the traffic demand management system. But this is always going to be a challenge.”

Events are taking place across the city today to mark the year-to-go milestone. These include Olympic hopeful Tom Daley making the first dive into the pool as the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park in Stratford is unveiled and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge attending an event in Trafalgar Square where the design of the medals will be unveiled.