Labour leadership contender officially launches St Thomas’s games

Labour leadership contender ED BALLS will join Dudley North MP IAN AUSTIN at the opening ceremony of the St Thomas games at 11am Friday 25 June 2010 at Dudley Castle.

This year’s opening ceremony will also be attended by local Councillor and event organiser Shaukat Ali, as well as young sporting stars from Dudley hoping to make the 2012 Olympics including Ann Ika Oqua.

The events have previously been attended by local sporting heroes such as Ryan Bradley who represented Britain and won a medal at the Sydney Commonwealth Games. 

The games which have been a massive success since their launch in 2006 will run from 25 June for two weeks.  During that time there will be activities such as 5-a-side football, Family Fun Day and a Fun run involving school children, members of the community, voluntary and sporting organisations.

Ian Austin MP said:

"The St Thomas’s Community Games are a great project and are grounded in the ethos of teamwork, working together and community spirit.”

“On a personal level I was very proud to meet young athletes from our town who are hoping to compete at the Olympic Games in London 2012, including Ann Ika Oqua who has since appeared on the national stage alongside stars such as Dame Kelly Holmes and boxing champion Amir Khan"

"Through celebrating the successes of local people such as Ryan Bradley, Dorothy Round and football legend Duncan Edwards – I believe that the games have helped inspire a new generation of children in Dudley who will look to emulate the town’s stars and learn through sport, the skills they need to fulfil their potential and aspirations in whatever they choose to do in the future.”

"The games have previously been a great success and are fantastic advert for the renewed feeling of community cohesion across the town.  I believe it shows Dudley at its best.  It shows what can be achieved when people work hard and work together.”

Labour leadership contender Ed Balls MP said:

“I think Councillor Ali and Ian Austin MP are doing a first class job organising these games in Dudley. They are an innovative and exciting project which brings together local school children, parents, community groups and businesses.  It is a great way of bringing communities together and encouraging young people to take up sports. Good luck and best wishes to everyone involved.”

Councillor Ali said:  

“I am very grateful to Ed Balls for joining us and officially opening the event and Ian Austin for inviting him.  These games mean a lot to the people of St Thomas’s and involve people from right across the community.  The St Thomas’s Community Games have always been a great success because they are grounded in the ethos of teamwork, determination and community spirit.  It is through events such as these that we are able to continue to promote tolerance and understanding within our community.”