Over 11 million children have benefitted from initiative The Commonwealth Sports Movement and Unicef have today revealed the first results of the far-reaching impact of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games ‘Put Children First’ campaign. To mark World Children’s Day, and as part of a broader Progress Report to be released in April 2018, the Commonwealth […]
Captain of Nigeria senior national Rugby team the Black Stallions, Azeez Ladipo has described their absence from the All African Games as devastating and heart wrenching watching the Nigerian contingent compete despite qualifying for the event.
Speaking with journalists, Azeez who doubles as captain of the national team and Southwest Rugby League champions, Cowrie RFC said it was more painful having been made to pass through the same harrowing experience following their exclusion from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games by the Nigeria Olympics Committee.
“We are devastated, the federation is devastated, and the boys are devastated.”But we are not letting that put us down.
The resilient flyhalf said despite the setback, they will not stop trying or give up because Rugby has come to stay in Nigeria.
He revealed that he has spoken to some of the national teams players both home and abroad as their captain, he encouraged them not to give up or allow the setback to let them down.
He promised that they will definitely channel their energy into the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers scheduled to hold in South Africa later in November.
“It is going to be difficult too because it’s a very tough task but we are not going to give up. We are going to keep fighting until Nigeria is recognized as a world power in Rugby.”
To mark UN International Youth Day, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), working with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), have today (Wednesday 12 August) announced a dynamic and inclusive programme of athlete and public engagement activities at the upcoming Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games to provide support and inspiration to tackle the issues facing the next generation of global sporting citizens.
Taking place on the island nation of Samoa from 5-11 September 2015, the Commonwealth Youth Games will bring together up to 1000 young athletes aged 14-18, who will represent their country and compete for 107 Gold medals in 9 sports over 5 days.
A formative first taste of an international multi-sport environment for many, the new initiatives announced today will help fulfil the Games’ core ambition to celebrate high-performance sporting competition, personal development and new Commonwealth friendships made on the level playing field of sport.
Welcoming the initiatives, CGF Chief Executive David Grevemberg said: “We’re thrilled to be joining forces with the Commonwealth Secretariat and UNICEF to enable innovative projects at this year’s Commonwealth Youth Games which will engage, inspire and support our young Commonwealth athletes and young Pacific Island hosts. In line with our strategic ambitions, we hope the programme will have a lasting impact, recognising our young Commonwealth citizens as essential to achieving sustainable human development.”
The Commonwealth Secretariat, working with the CGF and the local Games Organising Committee in Samoa, will deliver a series of fun and interactive workshops to raise awareness among young athletes of the potential to use sport to contribute to Commonwealth development.
The workshops will take place on rotation each day throughout the Games, enabling athletes and officials to attend on an optional basis, and will be delivered by representatives from the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace (CYDSP) working group, a network of young sport and development leaders from across the Commonwealth.
Oliver Dudfield, Head of Sport for Development and Peace at the Commonwealth Secretariat said: “The opportunity for participants at the Games to learn more about how sport can be used as a tool for development is another example of the important role the Games movement can play in promoting the Commonwealth and our shared values.”
Running alongside the workshops, and building on one of the regional legacy programmes enabled by the CGF and UNICEF’s groundbreaking fundraising partnership at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Just Play fan zones will also be set up at Games-Time to enable young locals, visitors, athletes and officials to participate in interactive games and activities.
Active in nine Pacific Island countries, Just Play uses sport to reduce vulnerability and address social issues affecting young people in the region. The Just Play programme promotes physical activity for children and young people through football and other sport-related activities, while creatively and inclusively addressing endemic issues such as non-communicable diseases, poor nutrition, gender equality, stigma and discrimination towards children with disabilities.
UNICEF Pacific representative, Dr. Karen Allen said: “Sport is a powerful development tool to engage children and young people across the world. Within the Pacific, since the programme’s inception in 2009, Just Play has attracted more than 200,000 girls and boys to engage in physical activity and learn healthy lifestyle habits and self-confidence. The programme also encourages gender equality, promotes social inclusion and reduces anxiety after natural disasters.
For the Commonwealth Youth Games, UNICEF and Just Play have partnered with CGF to showcase how sport in the Pacific is helping make a positive impact on children’s lives.”
As a further legacy, both projects will collaborate closely on training and implementation, supporting networking and knowledge-sharing between CYSDP working group representatives and regional UNICEF Pacific volunteers.
Commenting on Glasgow 2014’s Number One Ranking in the YouGov Sports Index 2015 Annual Report, David Grevemberg, formerly Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, and now Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation said:
“It’s such a fantastic thank you to everyone who put such energy and effort into the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to know that people across the UK ranked us as their number one positive world sporting experience of 2014.
What a great way to mark exactly six months on from an Opening Ceremony which launched a festival of sport and culture which people across the Scotland, the UK, Commonwealth and beyond could feel part of.
Six months on, the athletes of the Commonwealth who competed, the thousands of volunteers and staff who delivered the Games and the people of Glasgow and Scotland who were the warmest of hosts can feel hugely proud of their achievements, the pleasure they shared and the special place they’ve won in the nation’s hearts.”
The Commonwealth Games Federation has appointed sports event delivery specialist Hilary Atkinson to its Sports Committee.
Hilary has a wide range of experience in delivering sports services for world-leading events including the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Originally from Glasgow in Scotland, she is currently engaged as an Event Delivery Manager for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in London.
Announcing her appointment, Bruce Robertson, Chairman of the CGF Sports Committee said:
‘I’m delighted to welcome Hilary as a member of CGF Sports Committee. Hilary brings with her a real passion for sport as well as extensive experience in delivering a world-class environment for elite international athletes across a wide range of sports and para sports.
‘At Glasgow 2014, Hilary worked closely with Commonwealth Games Associations and their athletes across the sports programme and I know colleagues throughout the Games Family will join me in congratulating her on her appointment and look forward to sharing the insight and enthusiasm she will bring to the role.’
As General Manager, Sports Services, at Glasgow 2014 Hilary led the team with responsibility for a range of key areas including delivering the Sport Entries system, standalone Training Venues, Sport Publications, Sport Information services and the Athlete Gym requirements. Her 15-strong staff team grew to a Games-time workforce of more than 320, including 260 clyde-sider volunteers.
Hilary’s appointment as a non-voting, co-opted member of the Sports Committee has been approved by the CGF Executive Board.
The elected members of the Sports Committee (until the 2015 General Assembly) are:
Sani Ndanusa (Africa),
Philip Guishard (Americas),
Chris Chan (Asia),
Chet Greene (Caribbean),
Don Parker (Europe)
and Don Stockins (Oceania).
In addition, the Chairman (appointed by the Executive Board), Broadcasting Expert (Richard Russell), CEO (David Grevemberg) and Director of Sport (Matthew Curtain) serve the Committee as ex-officio members.
The Sports Committee typically meets biannually. Its key functions are to provide technical expertise and support to the Executive Board in relation to the development and management of all aspects of the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games sports programmes. The Committee also engages with International Sports Federations, future host cities and bidding cities.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) today concludes its second Coordination Commission meeting in relation to the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
This second review has been timed to follow on from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Debrief coordinated by the CGF last week here in Gold Coast. The Debrief enabled the experiences and recommendations from the Glasgow 2014 Games organisers to be passed on to the Gold Coast Organising Corporation (GOLDOC), City of Gold Coast and the Queensland and Australian governments.
Reporting on the arrangements for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, CGF Coordination Commission Chair, Mr Bruce Robertson (Canada) confirmed that impressive progress has been made over the last 12 months since the previous review meeting.
“The Coordination Commission is impressed with the venue and infrastructure developments. All is well in hand under the expert control of the State Government in partnership with the City of Gold Coast. We also recognise the recent funding commitment of the Federal Government. Highlights of recent achievements are the opening of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and the commencement of site works for the Parklands Development that will host the Games Village.
The legacy plans of all Games delivery partners are taking shape and the CGF is encouraging activation which will cause positive impact for the local community before, during and well after the Games.” said Mr Robertson.
The Organising Corporation is established and has moved forward with strategic planning in 7 key areas such as Security, Transport and Sport. They have recently had the benefit of a comprehensive observation programme the CGF operated in Scotland before and during Glasgow 2014.
“The next six months are critical. When the Coordination Commission meets again in May next year there will be a little under three years to Games time and we will be over half way through the preparation programme. It is now that the very detailed operational planning work must accelerate” said Mr Robertson.
Continuing Mr Robertson said “It is critical that plans are crafted to achieve Games time requirements and to deliver the best possible community impact and legacy. The CGF is committed to ensure the Games deliver real and tangible legacy for local communities and engage the Commonwealth across the globe.”
Mr Robertson also announced that the Coordination Commission has appointed George Black CBE, retiring Chief Executive for the Glasgow City Council. Having overseen City’s delivery of the highly successful Glasgow Commonwealth Games, George’s insight and experience will provide additional support for the CoCom and the Queensland Government and City of Gold Coast.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) On Thursday October 9 announced the team appointed to a new Evaluation Commission tasked with assessing bids from cities vying to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The Commission strongly features key figures from the hugely-successful Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games – including the Organising Committee’s Vice-Chair Louise Martin CBE, and Chief Executive, David Grevemberg. Glasgow 2014 has already been described by CGF President HRH Prince Imran as the Commonwealth sports movement’s ‘best-ever’ Games.
The CGF Evaluation Commission will be chaired by Louise Martin, CGF Honorary Secretary. She will be joined on the Commission by David Grevemberg, who takes up his appointment as CGF Chief Executive next month. Other members of the Commission will include Maxwell de Silva, Secretary General Sri Lanka Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) and Ian Hooper, Director of Sport and Special Projects at Glasgow Life, the organisation that delivers sports and cultural services on behalf of Glasgow City Council, A fifth member of the Commission, representing International Sporting Federations, is still to be announced.
The Commission will be responsible for undertaking a comprehensive review of the Candidature Files of bidding cities which are due to be lodged by March 2, 2015.
In March this year, the CGF received formal notification of an intention to bid for the XXII Commonwealth Games from two cities – Durban in South Africa and Edmonton in Canada. The Commission will undertake their visits during April 2015.
The news was unveiled on the Gold Coast, Australia, where the CGF is undertaking a strategic debrief from the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee and Games Partners, as well as a Co-ordination Commission review of operational planning for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Making the announcement, HRH Prince Imran said:
“I’m delighted to announce a 2022 Commonwealth Games Evaluation Commission which combines such extensive Games knowledge with excellent technical expertise and experience covering all the key factors relating to the delivery of a successful Games.
This is an exciting and dynamic period for the Commonwealth sports movement in which Glasgow 2014 has reaffirmed the position of the Commonwealth Games on the world’s sporting stage. Our future prospective host cities now have the opportunity to engage with and share the insight of a high-calibre Commission and I look forward very much to seeing the ambitions that Durban and Edmonton have for the 2022 Commonwealth Games being brought to life.”
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