Bowls England has welcomed the news that Birmingham has been selected as the host of the XXII Commonwealth Games in 2022. The decision also means that the lawn bowls events will take place at Victoria Park in Royal Leamington Spa – the home of Bowls England.
At a special Media Conference staged at the Arena Academy school in Birmingham, Commonwealth Games Federation president Louise Martin CBE applauded the city’s ambitious and innovative vision to engage and benefit its local community, showcase the best of global Britain and warmly welcome and inspire athletes and fans from right across the Commonwealth.
Birmingham 2022, which is expected to take place from 27 July – 7 August 2022, marks 20 years since Manchester 2002, the last time the Games were held in England. It beat Liverpool in September to be Britain’s candidate city and the bid subsequently received government backing.
Bowls England chief executive, Tony Allcock MBE, said: ‘We are delighted that Birmingham has been selected to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The lawn bowls facilities at Victoria Park in Royal Leamington Spa are world-class and it will prove to be a magnificent venue for the Games. In addition, we expect there will be long-term benefits for both players and spectators who utilise the facilities year round.’
Michael Coker, Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture said: ‘Birmingham’s successful bid to bring the games to the West Midlands has given us a platform to showcase our district to a worldwide audience. We are looking forward to working together with Bowls England, the local tourism industry, businesses and sports organisations to make the most of this wonderful opportunity.’
Birmingham’s bid was considered particularly strong on its management of risk, its high quality existing venue infrastructure and its plans for a long term sporting legacy.
Louise Martin said: ‘We warmly congratulate Birmingham and England on today’s announcement – it is a defining moment for this truly Commonwealth city. With its rich history, cultural diversity, youthful dynamism and ambitious spirit, Birmingham embodies all that we cherish about the Commonwealth, and so the Commonwealth Sports Movement looks forward to collaborating with all the Games partners to showcase the city’s humanity and pride to a global audience over the coming months and years.
‘The vast majority of the Games venues are in place, and with extensive experience in the UK of hosting successful major events – including Manchester 2002, London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 – the CGF looks forward to a truly spectacular Games that delivers not only for the 2.4 billion citizens across the Commonwealth but the wider world, too. Today is a fantastic day for Birmingham, global Britain and our resurgent Commonwealth Sports Movement.’
The final, complete Birmingham 2022 bid documentation was submitted by Commonwealth Games England (CGE), the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on behalf of the UK Government, and Birmingham City Council, supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority. The foundations for the Games have now been laid, with the official handover to Birmingham set to take place at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony on April 15 next year.