3. Statement by the Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language: International Strategy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:54 pm on 14 January 2020.

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Photo of Jack Sargeant Jack Sargeant Labour 3:54, 14 January 2020

Minister, I very much welcome your statement. Your ambition and determination to raise Wales's international profile is inspiring and much needed. You've mentioned in your statement how important sport can be to promoting the Welsh brand. As you know, I'm a big fan, as is the Llywydd, of the Cymru Premier League, in particular Connah's Quay Nomads for myself and Aberystwyth for the Llywydd. 

I've mentioned in this Chamber as well, Minister, I'm also a fan and a keen player of the game FIFA. The latest edition of the game was released in September of last year, and within one month it already had 10 million players globally. You've mentioned already the role of sport and how good we have done in recent years, both nationally and domestically in rugby and football. So, it's my intention, Minister, to write to the game's developer, A&A Sports, and call on them to include the Welsh Premier League, the Cymru Premier League, and Wales's national team in the next roll-out of the game.

So, this will mean, Llywydd, that players in Deeside, in Aberystwyth, in Delhi, in Shanghai, in New York and in Tokyo will be able to take control of football players such as Michael Bakare, the legend George Horan, and Flintshire's very own Elise Hughes. So, it would put the Cymru Premier League on an equal footing as leagues in England, Ireland and Scotland, but it would also put towns right across Wales on the international map. So, Minister, do you agree with me that this is an innovative and great way to promote the whole of Wales, and will you join me in calling for this and calling for the Welsh Premier League and the Welsh women's national team to be on the game FIFA 2021? Diolch.