Invictus Games for Brum?
Gary Newbon
Should Birmingham host the Invictus Games – that’s the question the Birmingham Mail is asking its readers after a column by TV sports broadcaster Gary Newbon sparked off overwhelming support from local politicians.
In his regular column for the Mail, Gary (pictured) said that the idea had initially been raised by Councillor Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council.
“Councillor Ian Ward and I were lunching seated next to each other in the Warwickshire Chairman’s Suite on the first day of the recent Edgbaston Test match when he bounced the idea off me, saying that he would be interested in the opinions of this website's readers.
“So please send them to me at letters@birminghammail.co.uk and we will forward your views to the council leader. “
Gary added: “I endorse Cllr Ward's views and ambitions, which are to bring major events to this great city (to carry on from the Commonwealth Games) and to recognise the incredible work the 400 military staff have done at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital (home to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine) where tens of thousands of injured soldiers have been helicoptered in from war zones.
“The Commonwealth Games means we have the infrastructure in place. It’s oven ready. The city would have to state its interest in hosting the Invictus Games by next June, followed by a formal bidding process,” said Gary.
Graeme Brown, editor of the Birmingham Mail, which is calling for the event to be held in the city in 2025,, wrote: “It has become a huge source of inspiration – not only to those in the forces but to everyone in the country – a huge celebration of talented people who just refuse to be stopped. People will come to a city with great sports facilities, return to superb hotels, enjoy a choice of wonderful bars and restaurants – but more than all of that, they will enjoy a Brummie welcome. It will be a showcase for a city which has much to show – and a reminder to everyone (Brummies included) that it’s where world-class things can happen.”
At the Games – initiated by Prince Harry - wounded, injured and sick former and current servicemen and women compete across a variety of sports. The international event first took place in 2014 in London and has since been held in Orlando, Toronto, Sydney.
The 2020 games were due to be held in The Hague but were delayed by the pandemic and will now be played in 2022. In 2023, competitors will go head-to-head in Dusseldorf, Germany.
The bidding deadline for the 2025 games is fast approaching, however, while a spokesperson for the Games said they were unlikely to take place in Europe in 2025, the path to 2027 looked clear for a Brum bid. The spokesman said they welcomed Birmingham's interest in hosting the event and said organisers would look out for a future bid from the city.
So now, councillors, MPs and the Mayor of the West Midlands have all come out in support of the idea.
City Council leader Ian Ward said: "The outstanding work of staff at the QE and the strong links with the armed forces and their families would make Birmingham the ideal host city for a future Invictus Games. Our city has a proud history of staging top-class sporting events and we have a fantastic global reputation as a city that delivers great events and provides a fantastic welcome.
"So, I want to know what the people of Birmingham think about the possibility of a future bid to host an event that celebrates the indomitable spirit of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women. Bringing major events to Birmingham puts our city in the spotlight and of course the events boost our visitor economy. But there are other benefits, as we can see from the Commonwealth Games, which in addition to delivering homes, jobs and huge opportunities, will boost community spirit and city pride."
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midland, also offered his backing, saying: "The West Midlands is an incredible host region for any major sporting event, and I can’t wait to show that to the world when we host the Commonwealth Games next year. We know how important sport tourism is for the region’s economy, and so it is absolutely right that we start thinking about how we build on the infrastructure, facilities, and legacy that will be left behind by the Games. I am committed to working with partners on ensuring we continue to attract the biggest events and sporting attractions to the region.”
Former mayoral challenger and Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne added: "Birmingham will be the world's best home for the Invictus Games, while Khalid Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, said: "I think it's a fantastic idea. I think all of our people in the armed forces do a phenomenal job for all of us and the least we can do is support them in this way. We owe a debt of gratitude to them and we will definitely support this.”
