Festival highlights vast sports programme at 2022 Games
A sports festival held in Centenary Square in the heart of the host city showcased some of the 19 sports and eight para sports that will be part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games when they begin in just 12 months ' time.
The event, which was held exactly one year before Birmingham 2022 's opening ceremony, was designed to bring to life many of the sports that will feature at the Games next year, an event which will be the largest multi-sport event to be held in the UK since the London 2012 Olympics.
With the West Midlands ticket ballot set to close on 30 July at 4pm, the festival provided a timely opportunity to find out more about the sports that will be included in the Games when it is staged from 28 July to 8 August next summer.
Ian Reid, CEO at Birmingham 2022, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment. With a year to go until the lights go up on the Opening Ceremony, I am delighted to say that we are on track to deliver what will be an incredible showcase of sport, culture, creativity and community, providing a long-awaited celebration that will bring people back together.
“With just a few hours left to go until the West Midlands ticket ballot ends, I 'd urge anyone living in the region to make their application for tickets now because you won 't want to miss this chance to witness sporting history being made in your hometown. ”
The sports activities in Centenary Square were hosted by Team England athletes and the national governing bodies from many of the Commonwealth sports, with demonstrations by the sports stars also taking place, to help illustrate the level of skills and expertise that will be on display next summer.
Sports represented on the day included boxing, table tennis, netball, wrestling, judo, lawn bowls, weightlifting, gymnastics and badminton. Cricket, squash, basketball 3x3, wheelchair basketball 3x3, volleyball and athletics also featured, and these sports will all be hosted in venues located in the city of Birmingham next summer.
Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “As we reach yet another milestone on the road to Birmingham 2022, I want to offer my thanks to everyone involved with the planning and preparation of the Games.
“The work that has been put in to enable us to reach this point, despite the shortened delivery timescale and a pandemic is a tribute to their hard work and determination. Now with the Games very much in sight, things are becoming increasingly real and more exciting by the day.
“People in Birmingham can now enter the regional ticket ballot and have been given the chance to become volunteers as part of the Commonwealth Collective.
“In the year ahead, we 'll show exactly what it means to be a Proud Host City and how bold Birmingham really is. ”
To find out more about all of the sports at Birmingham 2022, to apply for tickets or set up your ticketing account, click here.