5. Statement by the Minister for Economy: Qatar World Cup Engagement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:21 pm on 15 November 2022.

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Photo of Laura Anne Jones Laura Anne Jones Conservative 4:21, 15 November 2022

Minister, as well as promoting Wales on a world stage—which of course is essential, and which we fully support—it is imperative that we also capitalise on the new engagement and enthusiasm and take-up at home, to ensure the positive, long-lasting legacy that you talk about in the opening of your statement and of course we all want to see. Ideally, we'd already have the sporting facilities in place right across Wales to truly capitalise on what I'm sure will be increased take-up during and after the world cup. Minister, do you agree that we need to build on our sporting success? Sadly—. I'm sorry. Sadly, the success of this Welsh national team is in spite of this Welsh Government's lack of investment into sporting facilities over the past two decades, and not because of. Do you agree with me that we need to build on our sporting success, capitalise on this new-found enthusiasm that we're seeing and will see, and do you recognise the need to go far beyond what you've committed to grass-roots sporting facilities in Wales, to at least be in line with that of Ireland, England and Scotland and what they invest into their sporting facilities and finding future stars in their countries? And as chair of the cross-party group on sport, I hope, Minister, that you will consider attending the cross-party group on sport's world cup special, being hosted next month with the FAW, BBC and ITV, so that we can all come together and discuss how best we capitalise on this remarkable occasion. Pob lwc, Cymru.