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Limerick confirmed as City of Sport

There were celebrations in Limerick this week as the City received news that it had been successful in its bid to become a European  City of Sport for 2011.This prestigious award comes as the result of a pitch made earlier this year by Shannon Development and Limerick City Council to the European Capitals of Sport Association (ACES) based in Milan, Italy.  A delegation from ACES has been in Limerick over the past few days on an inspection tour of the City’s top sports venues organised by Shannon Development. Welcoming the announcement the Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Kevin Kiely said:

“This major award for Limerick City is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements as a sporting city and highlight the tremendous amount of work being carried out by agencies, clubs, organisations and dedicated individuals, to enrich the sporting lives of our citizens.”

Speaking on the potential economic impact for Limerick, Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development said; “We are delighted that Shannon Development and Limerick City Council’s bid has paid off and that Limerick’s fantastic sporting prowess has been recognised by ACES. This award opens up huge potential in terms of benefits for the City, and it complements our efforts to brand Limerick as a world renowned sports tourism and business destination. We know that other cities who have gained this status in the past have succeeded in attracting major high calibre sports events to their cities. We know that, in economic terms, one Heineken Cup game is worth in excess of €10 million to Limerick. We look forward to working with ACES and Limerick City Council to maximise the benefits for the City.”

ACES is a not for profit organisation which promotes the European City of Sport each year.

Commenting in Limerick today on behalf of the internationally renowned European Capitals of Sports Association, Gian Francesco Lupattelli, the Association’s President said: “The aim of the European Capitals of Sports Association is to promote sport for everyone. We are delighted to award Limerick City the title of European City of Sports for 2011. This coveted award is only given to cities which have a proven track record of achievement in sports, and we are delighted to recognise Limerick’s many outstanding attributes in this area. Limerick is a truly wonderful sporting city and we hope that the new title will enhance the city’s growing international reputation as a leading centre for sports.”

Limerick now joins a select number of European Cities of Sport for 2011. Other cities already selected are; Parma, Treviso, and Trieste in Italy, North Lanarkshire in Scotland, and Puertollano in Spain.