Adrian Earnshaw’s Welcome
Submitted on: Oct 18, 2007
This year, as we celebrate a landmark for the greatest road racing event in world, it is indeed exciting to look ahead to another event which can be regarded as exceptional and special. The Commonwealth Youth Games, first held in Scotland in Millennium year, will, in five years time, bring over a thousand of the finest young athletes in the world to these shores.
As we send out this message, “sportsmen and women, we want you to have the freedom to flourish here”, we have already started out on the road to making sure that when they arrive here, in 2011, they will enjoy a memorable experience. Not only the warmest welcome they could imagine, but the facilities that will enable them to perform at their best.
As Minister of Tourism and Leisure, I am well aware of the work involved “ behind the scenes” by those involved to ensure major events run smoothly and hundreds of young athletes will already be preparing to benefit from this special year in Mann. This event is not just for those athletes however, it is for all of us to relish and enjoy.
This is a whole Island effort and will need to be if we are to make these Manx Commonwealth Youth Games the benchmark event that others will want to emulate, just as we have already achieved with the “Island Games” which were born here on the Isle of Man.
Rather like a long distance runner, we have started a lengthy journey: and like the thousands of runners in the London marathon, we will reach the tape successfully with the encouragement of those who stand by the roadside, giving their encouragement and support.
May I wish good luck to all those who have their sights set on this beautiful Island in 2011. They will play their part. Its up to us to play ours.
Hon A Earnshaw, MHK,
Minister for Tourism and Leisure
