Letter: The Ulster Banner symbolises athletes from all backgrounds in NI - who would want to lead the country out behind a logo?
A letter from Ian Fawley:
Since 1934 the Northern Irish Commonwealth games team have walked behind the Ulster Banner, symbolising athletes from all backgrounds representing Northern Ireland.
Who would want to lead the country out behind a logo, when all the other nations are proudly standing by their own recognisable flag? There are numerous Ulster Banners on the Team NI website.
This year’s games being held in Glasgow means there will be plenty of supporters turning up with their Northern Irish flags. Are the broadcasters expected to ignore them when they celebrate local success? How fortunate for the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council that TNT have the rights to the competition, and therefore fewer viewers will be watching than had the event been shown on the BBC.
My guess is that those who wanted to end Northern Ireland’s Commonwealth Games relationship with the Ulster Banner are hoping to start a bandwagon rolling in which other sports where Northern Ireland as a team or individuals from there participate question their own allegiance to it.
There will of course be no such questioning of symbols, where those from a unionist background represent all-Ireland teams.
Historically, a generosity of spirit has existed in Irish sport; people from both sides representing Northern Ireland or Ireland.
I would hope even now it's not too late for things to continue as they have in the past.
Ian Fawley, Southport