SYDNEY (Reuters) – Queensland’s state government will contribute A$11 million ($10.08 million) to the bid to bring the 2018 Commonwealth Games to the Gold Coast, local media reported on Monday. The Gold Coast, about 75 kilometres south of Brisbane, was nominated as the region to bid for the Games in 2008.

“The Games bid is formally made by the Australian Commonwealth Games Association and we will be working in partnership with the Association to launch that bid now into the international arena,” Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told the ABC.

“Bids will close now at the end of March so we need to formally make that bid.”

Nigeria’s capital Abuja is also bidding for the 2018 Games, while New Zealand’s largest city Auckland is considering a bid.

The New Zealand Herald newspaper, however, reported the country’s government was expected to announce later this week it would not pay their half share of the expected NZ$600 million ($420.8 million) costs involved in staging the Games.

The success of Gold Coast’s bid has also been subject to media speculation with Australia also bidding for the soccer World Cup finals in 2018 or 2022 and Australia’s federal government has said hosting the World Cup was their priority.

The Australian Commonwealth Games Federation has also said the Commonwealth Games would require substantial federal support.

India’s capital New Delhi will host the Games in October, while Scotland’s largest city Glasgow will host them in 2014.

The decision on the successful Commonwealth Games bidder will be made in Nov. 2011.

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