News Release -
LIMERICK CITY IN THE RUNNING TO BECOME A ‘EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT’
High level delegation on inspection tour of Limerick sports facilities
Limerick City is in the running to become a ‘European City of Sport’ for 2011. A high level delegation from the European Capitals of Sports Association (ACES) based in Milan, Italy, has just arrived in Limerick and is being shown around the City’s sports facilities by Shannon Development today (Thursday 3rd June 2010).
ACES is a not for profit organisation which promotes the European City of Sport each year. The delegation will view a range of top sports venues and are expected to make their decision shortly.
Earlier this year Shannon Development and Limerick City Council made a successful submission to ACES and this secured Limerick City’s designation as a candidate for consideration as a European City of Sport.
Speaking about the importance of becoming a European City of Sport Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive Shannon Development said: “Securing this major accolade would be a wonderful tribute to a City with such a proud and distinguished sporting history. In terms of benefits to the City it will provide a major boost with spin off benefits across the board in tourism and international networking opportunities. It will also reinforce a positive image of Limerick at home and overseas as a place to visit and a place to play sport.
‘Limerick has a long and proud tradition of sport, especially in sports such as rugby, gaelic games, athletics, soccer, golf, rowing and horse racing, all of which have enriched life in the city down through the years. In more recent times the value of sport in social, health and economic terms is being recognised. For example in economic terms, one Heineken Cup game is worth in excess of €10 million to the City.”
Eoghan Prendergast, Shannon Development Limerick Development Manager said: “The status generated by this event would be tremendous for Limerick and complements Shannon Development’s overall strategy for branding and promoting all aspects of the City. We see sports as an as yet untapped source of economic prosperity and opportunity for Limerick.
‘In addition to using Limerick’s unrivalled reputation as one of the world’s most passionate sporting cities, Shannon Development is building a programme of securing major sporting events – the Great Limerick Run being the first - as well as encouraging Irish and international companies to develop and grow their business from Limerick. We also see business opportunities in the growth in demand for high quality sports medical expertise,” he said.
Commenting in Limerick today on behalf of the European Capitals of Sports Association delegation, Gian Francesco Lupattelli, President of the European Capitals of Sports Association said: “We are delighted to visit this beautiful City and look forward to getting a taste of your rich sporting culture which we have heard so much about from Shannon Development.”
Limerick is hoping to join a select number of European cities designated as European Cities of Sport. Other cities already selected for 2011 include; Parma, Treviso, and Trieste in Italy, North Lanarkshire in Scotland, and Puertollano in Spain.
About ACES
The European Capitals of Sports Association (ACES) was founded in 1999. The main aims of the city of sport concept are to promote exercise as fun, and to generate a feeling of community, fair play, willingness to achieve and health improvements.
Pictured overlooking the River Shannon in Limerick City are Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development and Gian Francesco Lupattelli, President of the European Capitals of Sports Association.
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