DURBAN has been elevated to pole position to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games after its only rival, Edmonton in Canada, pulled out of the race citing financial worries.

But Durban must still present a polished bid and satisfy requirements to become the first African city to host the 84-year-old multi-sport event, said a spokesman for the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc).

"We still plan to continue preparing to submit our bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation on March 2.

"The assessment teams will come to assess the facilities. It has to be a quality bid," the spokesman said.

The CGF's general assembly will decide on the host on September 2, even if it's a one-horse race.

Edmonton, the capital of the oil-rich state of Alberta and host of the 1978 edition of the Games, decided to scrap the 2022 bid because of the plummeting oil price. The city will now bid for 2026.

The costing of the Durban bid has yet to be announced officially.