Good afternoon. I would first like to start by thanking the
President of SportAccord, Ugur Erdener, for hosting.
It doesn't feel like it is already two years since this wonderful
city, alongside the wider West Midlands region, hosted the
record-breaking Commonwealth Games.
Hosting Sport Accord today - alongside all the other amazing
events that Birmingham has planned - just demonstrates the power
of sporting events.
The power to bring people together, to instil pride in
communities and to have an impact long after the final whistle.
I want to thank you all for the important work that you do with
your organisations to promote sport at every level.
We know that sport contributes to physical and mental wellbeing,
reduces loneliness and provides economic benefits.
The UK has a fantastic reputation as a host of major events, and
we must use these to inspire future generations.
I, like many others, was inspired by the success of the Lionesses
at EURO 2022 and the FIFA World Cup 2023.
And DCMS honoured their success with £25 million of government
funding for the Lionesses Futures Fund,designed to increase
access for women and girls.
The UK Government remains committed to building our reputation
for hosting major events, and it is important that we continue to
host sporting events that inspire the next generation and build
lasting memories.
We have some magnificent sportspeople, and world-leading experts,
who organise and deliver these events to be enjoyed across the
globe.
I saw first hand at the Rugby League World Cup the unique impact
that sporting events can have on communities - using sport to
reach people across the UK.
This includes not only the mega events we have in the coming
years, such as the Rugby World Cup 2025, the men's and women's
T20 Cricket World Cups in 2026 and 2030, UEFA EURO 2028 across
the whole of the UK and Ireland, and of course the European
Athletics Championships in Birmingham in 2026 - but also events
like the West Midlands Urban Sports event in Wolverhampton later
this year.
Today I am proud to announce the significant economic and social
benefits delivered by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at
‘one year on'.
An incredible 6.9 million people engaged with this event in 2022,
including spectators, athletes, volunteers and employees. The
event delivered approximately £1.2 billion Gross Value Added to
the UK economy, with nearly half that in the West Midlands alone,
creating thousands of jobs in this region.
In addition, the Games has contributed nearly £80 million in
social value, with well over £150 million more expected to be
generated longer term. This is a result of the skills and
apprenticeships delivered through Games programmes, alongside
community use of Games facilities at the revamped Alexander
Stadium and the wonderful Sandwell Aquatics Centre.
I am also delighted to see the £70 million ‘Commonwealth Games
Legacy Enhancement Fund' continuing to reinvest in projects for
communities across the region - including in support of Sport
Accord. This fund provides a welcome boost to ensure the
Games legacy continues to be felt in this region and beyond for
many years to come.
It is clear that mega sporting events can have truly
transformational impacts on individuals, communities and host
nations, and it is vital that we continue to support them in the
years ahead.
As we look to the future, I am extremely excited to build our
pipeline into the 2030s and beyond. Our revised UK hosting
strategy sets us on that clear path.
It is so important to make sure that as we look to the future, we
are innovative. I am grateful to all the work of those here today
in making that happen.
I wish you all the best for a successful event over the coming
days.
