Follow up Ulster flag move with cash for sports, urges UUP
Mr Robert Carmichael, the East Londonderry Ulster Unionist Party Association Chairman, has hailed the decision to continue allowing Northern Ireland athletes to march behind the Ulster banner at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as “a victory for common sense community relations”.
Mr Carmichael, speaking on behalf of the UUP association, said the Stormont Executive should “now follow up this common sense approach to the Ulster banner by finding cash aid to promote Commonwealth sports in schools and the community”.
Mr Carmichael added: “For decades, our athletes have had the honour of parading at the Commonwealth Games behind the Ulster banner. It would have been a tremendous insult to the Northern Ireland community and to those many athletes who have competed, and will compete, on behalf of Northern Ireland to not to be able to parade behind the Ulster banner.
“But the Stormont Executive must follow up this common sense victory by boosting interest in the sports which will be on display at the Commonwealth Games in our schools, colleges, universities and throughout the wider community.
“During the 2026 Games in Glasgow in July and August, we will see a keen interest in athletics and all the various sporting activities associated with these historic and traditional Games.
“Just as our constituency of East Londonderry hosting the famous Open in golf last year provided a tremendous boost for the sport of golf and the local economy, so too, it will be necessary for the Stormont Executive to build and take advantage of the keen interest which the public will take in the various sporting activities on display, especially if Northern Ireland athletes and participants win honours.
“In an era where there is now a strong focus on people’s general health, mental health and well-being, the Stormont Executive ministers can show a degree of unity by working together to boost Commonwealth sporting activities through funding schemes in our educational and community locations.
“Our young people and the wider community need more than empty rhetoric from the Stormont Executive; they need action and practical steps on the ground to improve their health through promoting Commonwealth sport in the community,” said Mr Carmichael.