Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has hit out at the former Executive parties after it was confirmed Northern Ireland would not host the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games after funding was unable to be guaranteed due to the political impasse.
Funding was never signed off after the collapse of Stormont, with a ceremony to hand over the games to Belfast from Nassau in the Bahamas cancelled last year due to uncertainty over finances. It has now been confirmed the bid has been lost.
“Those who continue to engage in the ongoing political impasse can now add the loss of the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games to their growing list of crises. Despite much effort from several quarters, there was limited scope for the release of funding in the absence of an Executive,” said Mr Lyttle.
“Alliance continually raised the matter with the Civil Service and NIO in an attempt to seek a positive outcome for the many young athletes and the wider social and economic benefits the hosting of this event would have brought to Northern Ireland. That now unfortunately will not be the case.
“These games would have showcased this region on a global scale, while inspiring an entire generation. The failure to host them lies firmly at the feet of those parties who made up the previous Executive.”