West Midlands sporting events get £3m boost
Nine cultural and sporting events set to take place in the West Midlands have shared £3 million of Commonwealth Games legacy funding.
The events, and the share of the funding received, are listed as follows:
ESL One - Dota II esports tournament, Solihull, 26-28 April 2024 - £145,000
European Judo Union Junior Cup, Walsall, 15-19 June 2024 – £250,000
Black Country Festival, 1-31 July, 2024 - £365,000
Godiva Festival ‘Worldwide Welcome’, Coventry, 5-7 July 2024 - £500,000
Reggae Fever - Celebration of Caribbean Culture, Coventry, 20 July 2024 - £250,000
Birmingham Weekender Festival, 22-25 August 2024 - £350,000
SuperDome esports tournament, Solihull, 5-8 September - £250,000
West Midlands Urban Sports, Wolverhampton, 6-8 September 2024 - £390,000
Kabaddi World Cup, 24-31 March 2025 - £500,000
Giving an estimated £11.5 million boost to the local economy, almost 700,000 competitors, performers and spectators are expected to attend the events in 2024 and 2025 to celebrate the region’s rich and diverse sporting, music and cultural heritage.
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The effective organisation and delivery of the Commonwealth Games meant the event came in under budget.
Following discussions between the Mayor and the WMCA’s local authority partners, the UK Government has decided to invest the remaining £70 million into the region to enhance the legacy of the Games and ensure the benefits continue their positive impact for many years to come.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “It was always our intention that the Commonwealth Games should leave a lasting legacy far beyond the sporting spectacle - as wonderful as that was.
“With this £3 million of Games legacy funding, we’re turning words into action. This money will help us to host the Kabaddi World Cup and will support the organisers of well-established local events such as the Godiva Festival in Coventry, Birmingham Weekender and the Black Country Festival - alongside some new events.
“Collectively, this backing will bring in hundreds of thousands of people to our region, give a welcome boost to local businesses and provide valuable jobs and volunteering opportunities for local people. I look forward to seeing the difference this support makes on the ground and celebrating all that is great about the West Midlands in the months and years ahead.”
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