11. Short Debate: Our Cymru: Creating a leading football nation

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:07 pm on 29 June 2022.

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Photo of Llyr Gruffydd Llyr Gruffydd Plaid Cymru 6:07, 29 June 2022

(Translated)

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I just wanted to reflect a little on what Welsh football and Welsh football teams—not just a team, but teams—represent, and what the red wall has embraced. It is more than just football. This phenomenon is a symbol of contemporary Wales, a confident Wales, a successful Wales, and of an inclusive Wales, too, in all its diversity. Gareth Bale said, 'All I need is the dragon on my chest', and what does that dragon in the football context now represent? Well, it represents Wales in all of its diversity—whatever language you speak, whatever the colour of your skin, whatever you feel you are. And not only do we celebrate that the Wales football team has qualified for Qatar, but what the football team and football in Wales more generally represent are going to Qatar, and that is an important message and a message I hope that the whole world will hear when the time comes for us to go to Qatar in November.