Commonwealth Games legacy fund launched

Nov 13 2008

THE first dedicated fund to build a legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games has been launched in Glasgow.

The launch, at the city's Tollcross Leisure Centre, coincides with the first anniversary of the awarding of the games to Glasgow.

Using National Lottery cash, the fund will make grants of up to £1,000 towards sport and physical activity.

The Scottish Government wants to recover £150m in lottery funds it says was diverted to finance the 2012 London Olympics and redirect it to Glasgow.

Communities minister Stewart Maxwell said that the return of the money is "a matter of natural justice".

He said the money would be, "destined to ensure a lasting legacy" from the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "Scotland has received over £2bn in Lottery money since 1994, and around £150m in the last financial year alone. Since the lottery began, over £315m has been spent on grassroots sport in Scotland.

"In addition, 29 locations across Scotland are included in the official guide to pre-games training facilities for foreign teams in 2012."

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government also announced that Scots athletes are to receive an extra £7.5 million over the next three years to improve medal hopes at 2014 Games.