With increasing awareness of the need to encourage Scottish youngsters to get active, BAA Scottish Airports announced £200,000 of sponsorship at Glasgow Airport today, to support the Scottish Youth Games initiative over the next three years.

Over 7000 secondary aged pupils (under 14 years) will take part in one-day sports festivals in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen starting September 2001, where the emphasis will be on participation in a fun atmosphere. The festivals will be the focal point for local sports-specific participation programmes through schools, clubs and local authority sports development groups.  Training sessions in the build-up to the Youth Games will enable youngsters to develop their sports specific skills and promote a long-term commitment to participation in physical activity and sport.

Announcing their sponsorship Alastair Smith, Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Airports, said: "In the last two years Scottish Airports through its Youth Games programme has given over 7,500 young people throughout Scotland, including those with disabilities, the opportunity to take part in a large scale sporting event. Encouraged by this initial success we are now delighted to be working in partnership with sportscotland and Scotland's Local Authorities to provide a sustained programme of sporting opportunities over the next three years.

"Our substantial commitment of more than  £200,000 will be used to encourage more youngsters to take up sport at grass roots level, to establish self belief and to support lifestyle changes."

Youngsters from nearby Rashielee Primary School, Erskine joined representatives from each of the participating airports and sportscotland to celebrate the funding announcement with a race at the airport.

Commenting, Ian Robson, Chief Executive, sportscotland, said: "BAA Scottish Airports Youth Games is a fantastic programme which can be used to combat physical inactivity and encourage participation in sport by all youngsters regardless of ability.

"The Games aim to embrace those youngsters who are unlikely to get selected for the so-called 'first team', but who through encouragement will turn up to practice sessions and relish the opportunity to represent their school or club. Such a positive experience will go a long way to sustaining life-long participation in sport."

• Each Area Youth Games will be organised by the host local authority (Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen), with support from participating local authorities and local airport personnel.
• There will be competition in at least six core sports (from a choice of: athletics, basketball, cricket, football (boys), football (girls), hockey, netball, rugby (girls), swimming, hockey, volleyball). Further sports can also be added which reflect the needs of participating authorities. The event is inclusive in nature and will feature additional two sports for disabled youngsters.
• sportscotland will be assisting with overall event co-ordination and for the first time will be managing the sponsorship contract on behalf of Scottish Airports Ltd.
• The following local authorities will be competing in this year's Youth Games: