Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland to host Commonwealth Youth Games

Boxers James McGivern, Auden Walsh and Stephen McKenna won gold medals at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa
Boxers James McGivern, Auden Walsh and Stephen McKenna won gold medals at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa Boxers James McGivern, Auden Walsh and Stephen McKenna won gold medals at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa

NORTHERN Ireland is set to host the Commonwealth Youth Games in the summer of 2021.

Around 1,000 athletes, aged from 14 to 18, are expected to participate in the competition scheduled for July 27 to August 1.

Among the athletes from Northern Ireland to have taken part in previous Commonwealth Youth Games are boxers Carl Frampton and Michael Conlan as well as swimmer Sycerika McMahon.

The Mary Peters Track in Belfast and the Aurora complex in Bangor are expected to be among the venues that will host some of the sporting events, with the gymnastics also due to be held in Lisburn.

More than 60 nations were represented in the last Commonwealth Youth Games, which were held in Samoa last September.

NI Commonwealth Games Chairman Robert McVeigh said: "This is a hugely significant day for local sport, the result of many years of lobbying and hard work.

"It offers a great opportunity for children of upper primary school and Year 8 age to strive towards being part of the largest ever Team NI at Commonwealth Youth Games.

"We look forward to the tremendous support for which the Northern Ireland public is renowned."

Northern Ireland were the only bid for the 2021 Games after Jersey and Botswana withdrew from the running.