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Games friendly fight's last round Last round in fight to host Games
(9 minutes later)
Abuja and Glasgow have described the competition to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games as "fierce but friendly".Abuja and Glasgow have described the competition to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games as "fierce but friendly".
On the eve of the vote in Colombo, Sri Lanka, BBC Scotland sports reporter Annie McGuire assesses the intensive lobbying campaigns to win the Games.On the eve of the vote in Colombo, Sri Lanka, BBC Scotland sports reporter Annie McGuire assesses the intensive lobbying campaigns to win the Games.
Mr Salmond and Gen Gowon indulge in friendly rivalryMr Salmond and Gen Gowon indulge in friendly rivalry
Nigeria is fighting back.Nigeria is fighting back.
"Remember, I am a general," joked Gen Yakubu Gowon, president of the Abuja bid team, while addressing the world's media. 'Remember, I am a general,' joked Gen Yakubu Gowon, president of the Abuja bid team, while addressing the world's media.
Nigeria was ready, he said, for a "good, good fight" to take the 2014 Commonwealth Games to the African continent for the first time. Nigeria was ready, he said, for a 'good, good fight' to take the 2014 Commonwealth Games to the African continent for the first time.
"In a contest with two contenders, there are always favourites," he said. 'In a contest with two contenders, there are always favourites,' he said.
"As they say in boxing, a little punch can always make a difference. 'As they say in boxing, a little punch can always make a difference.
"It is going to be a very fair fight and we will give it our best shot." 'It is going to be a very fair fight and we will give it our best shot.'
The Abuja bid team reckons no amount of facilities or technical expertise can outweigh the political message they've been hammering home.The Abuja bid team reckons no amount of facilities or technical expertise can outweigh the political message they've been hammering home.
Simply, they said, it was time Africa hosted its first Commonwealth Games.Simply, they said, it was time Africa hosted its first Commonwealth Games.
Although we have a general here, this is not war First Minister Alex Salmond East end hopes for GamesAlthough we have a general here, this is not war First Minister Alex Salmond East end hopes for Games
Gen Gowon said: "We will be ready. We have held similar games, two African Games and they were both very successful." Gen Gowon said: 'We will be ready. We have held similar games, two African Games and they were both very successful.'
Habu Humel, president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, added: "We have all the facilities, all the support of the government, the funding and the security. Habu Humel, president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, added: 'We have all the facilities, all the support of the government, the funding and the security.
"We are confident that tomorrow the vote will be in favour of Abuja." 'We are confident that tomorrow the vote will be in favour of Abuja.'
The Scottish bid team - campaigning for Glasgow 2014 - had taken great heart from the Commonwealth Games Federation's evaluation report.The Scottish bid team - campaigning for Glasgow 2014 - had taken great heart from the Commonwealth Games Federation's evaluation report.
It praised the strength of the Scottish bid, while questioning Nigeria's ability to host the games based on their current facilities.It praised the strength of the Scottish bid, while questioning Nigeria's ability to host the games based on their current facilities.
However, after an initial wave of optimism, it is fair to say there are doubts creeping into the minds of the Glasgow bid team after a heavy day of campaigning by the rival Nigerian bid.However, after an initial wave of optimism, it is fair to say there are doubts creeping into the minds of the Glasgow bid team after a heavy day of campaigning by the rival Nigerian bid.
One of the team of seven Scots athletes out here in support of the bid admitted he now feels the race is neck and neck.One of the team of seven Scots athletes out here in support of the bid admitted he now feels the race is neck and neck.
A police officer stands guard at the venue for the announcementA police officer stands guard at the venue for the announcement
The winning city needs to secure at least 36 votes from 71 Commonwealth Games Associations.The winning city needs to secure at least 36 votes from 71 Commonwealth Games Associations.
First Minister Alex Salmond described the competition as intense.First Minister Alex Salmond described the competition as intense.
"We have been working to present what we believe is a first-class bid for Glasgow and Scotland," he said. 'We have been working to present what we believe is a first-class bid for Glasgow and Scotland,' he said.
"We have got great respect for our rival bid but we are very confident about Glasgow and Scotland's prospects." 'We have got great respect for our rival bid but we are very confident about Glasgow and Scotland's prospects.'
Mr Salmond said it was a huge advantage that more than 70% of the facilities were already in place in Glasgow.Mr Salmond said it was a huge advantage that more than 70% of the facilities were already in place in Glasgow.
"They are not plans on paper or computer graphics, they exist at the present moment," he said. 'They are not plans on paper or computer graphics, they exist at the present moment,' he said.
In a joint media conference with Gen Gowon, he said: "Although we have a general here, this is not war. In a joint media conference with Gen Gowon, he said: 'Although we have a general here, this is not war.
"We are in the final stages of that election campaign and they are always dramatic and exciting." 'We are in the final stages of that election campaign and they are always dramatic and exciting.'
Mike Fennell, Commonwealth Games Federation president, said: "It is a very exciting time for us. We have two excellent bids." Mike Fennell, Commonwealth Games Federation president, said: 'It is a very exciting time for us. We have two excellent bids.'
BBC Scotland will broadcast the result live online and across Scotland on Friday.BBC Scotland will broadcast the result live online and across Scotland on Friday.