Plaid Cymru’s Leader Leanne Wood has reaffirmed her party’s ambitions to bring the Commonwealth Games to Wales.
The Assembly Member said it was time for Wales, as an “increasingly confident nation”, to play host to one of the largest international sporting tournaments.
Ms Wood made the calls from Glasgow where she is a guest of Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond for the opening ceremony of the Games.
She said hosting the tournament would not only raise Wales’ profile internationally but would also deliver an important boost for the economy.
It has been estimated that 5,000 jobs or apprenticeships have been created directly as a result of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Firms in Glasgow have benefitted from £200m worth of contracts while £198 million has been invested in new or improved sports facilities. It has also delivered a huge boost for transport projects with £700m ploughed into Games infrastructure.
Ms Wood said: “The Commonwealth Games is a significant global event with 6,500 athletes and officials from 71 nations and territories competing.
“The world’s eyes will be on Glasgow over the next eleven days of the games. The profile of the city and the country in general will be enhanced by the experience by the end of the games.
“This is the sort of exposure that Wales would benefit from. Hosting the games would lead to many positive spin-offs for Wales; not least in the economy which has been a made a priority for Plaid Cymru.
“The number of jobs and apprenticeships that have been created as a result of the Glasgow games is impressive. There is no reason why Wales could not reap similar benefits, especially if we had a Government in Wales which paid more than lip service to local procurement.
“Hosting the games would provide an added incentive to our athletes. I have recently seen first-hand some examples of fantastic young talent and facilities in the discipline of gymnastics in Wales.
“The opportunity to compete in a home games would deliver a boost to aspiring athletes in the years leading up to the event. There are opportunities too to help make the nation fitter.”
Ms Wood added: “Wales hosted the Empire Games 56 years ago. We have proven since then we can host major sporting tournaments as shown by the successful 1999 World Cup.
“As an increasingly confident nation, Plaid Cymru is of the view that Wales is ready to host another high-profile international event to showcase what we have to offer. Serious efforts should be put into place to make this happen for the 2026 Games.”
