Commonwealth Games Delhi India 2010 Commonwealth Games India

MELBOURNE-- Australia's Commonwealth Games top body said the Gold Coast in Queensland has a realistic shot at hosting the 2018 Games.

Queensland State Premier Anna Bligh on Wednesday released preliminary plans for infrastructure needed for the Gold Coast to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, ahead of a trip to India to argue the glitter strip's credentials, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.

Bligh travels to Delhi on Thursday to meet with officials, as part of a wider trade mission.

She told the state parliament in Brisbane on Wednesday that she would go armed with ideas on how the Gold Coast could accommodate the international sporting event.

Bligh said the state government had finalised an investigation into the games and found the coast to be "very well placed" to launch a successful bid.

Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite said the Gold Coast "certainly had a realistic shot", with just a few hurdles to overcome.

Auckland and the Nigerian capital, Abuja, are expected to be the hottest challengers to the Gold Coast's bid.

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