Hooper was part of the five-person Evaluation Commission that inspected both the Gold Coast and Hambantota earlier this year before publishing the 144-page report on the two bidding cities that was sent to all of the CGF's 71-member nations and territories to help inform them of the technical merits of each proposal, stated insidethegames.

He said that the fact that the bids are so entirely different has helped to make this such an exciting race.

"When you look at Hambantota, it is certainly an exciting proposition with the unique masterplan that they have put forward,” Hooper told insidethegames.

"There are obviously logistical challenges, which the team in Sri Lanka have acknowledged themselves, but there can be no questioning of the level of commitment from our friends in Hambantota to deliver on the promises they have made,” he said.