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Westminster’s female basketball team was among few successes at Games |
Our only hoop? Young athletes struggle
WESTMINSTER Council have been accused of not investing enough money in sports facilities after the borough’s team crashed in London’s prestigious Youth Games.
The team of competitors, aged 6-17, were ranked second bottom in the league table of 33 local authorities, narrowly scraping past the City of London, to avoid the ignominious wooden spoon at last week’s event.
Politicians say the showing is a damning indictment of the council, the way it promotes sport in schools and the quality of facilities on offer to youngsters in Westminster, just one year on from making a pledge to improve.
The borough’s public swimming pools have been the subject of many campaigns – criticised as inadequate and dirty – and it was Westminster’s performance in the water (last in female swimming and third bottom in male swimming), that provides the most compelling argument for action.
London Assembly member Murad Qureshi, a former competitor in the Games nearly 20 years ago, watched the weekend’s action.
He branded the peformance “pathetic”, saying it was a reflection of the council’s priorities.
“I’m sad to say it was absolutely pathetic,” said Mr Qureshi. “All credit to the individuals who took part but there’s no reason why Westminster should be second bottom.
“I don’t think it’s because we don’t have the talent. We do.
“What it shows is that sport, health and fitness is not a council priority and it should be.”
Of the 30 disciplines, from angling to weightlifing, fencing to hockey, the borough’s young charges finished in the bottom 10 on 13 occasions. Their best showing was a bronze medal in the female basketball, and a fourth position in the kayak slalom.
Councillor Ed Argar, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: “Young people in Westminster who are particularly gifted will be identified and helped through our Champions for the Future programme and we remain committed to encouraging all of our young people to take part in the wide range of extra curricular sports activities across the city through our dedicated sports unit.” |
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