Extra £1.6m to kick off NI soccer strategy

NI Sports Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has announced that the additional funding secured in the Executive’s Budget proposals, will include an extra £1.6 million would be available to enable a start to be made on implementing his eagerly awaited Soccer Strategy.

Mr McGimpsey said: “I am delighted that I have been successful in obtaining this £1.6 million which will allow me to take forward the Strategy for the future of football in Northern Ireland. These are very scarce resources being allocated to this area of my portfolio and I must be convinced that they will be spent wisely. Therefore, I will be looking to everyone involved in this initiative to work closely together to ensure that we succeed in getting football on the road to recovery.”

The Minister explained that the Hamilton Report on which the Strategy would be based was currently out for consultation and that he hoped to publish it and begin work in the Spring.

The closing date for the consultation has been extended until January 31, 2002.

Mr McGimpsey also pointed out that his increased Budget for the next financial year would enable him to invest another £1 million in the drive to make sports grounds safer and more attractive as well as providing the necessary resources to meet additional staff costs for libraries and for the development of museums. (SP)