Province ready to host major sporting events

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on March 20, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

The provincial government is heralding six major national and international competitions coming to Alberta which it says will attract 35,000 athletes from 35 different countries.

Cardston-Siksika MLA Joseph Schow, the province’s Minister of Tourism and Sport, in a media conference on Tuesday said the province was reaffirming its commitment “to supporting and hosting world-class sporting events.

“Alberta has a tremendous story to tell, one that’s been around since time immemmorial,” the Minister said.

“It includes our rich Indigenous history, farm families, an energy sector that drives our economy and of course, athletic excellence. That’s why I’m excited that all eyes around Canada and around the world will be on Alberta as we welcome another six major sporting events to our majestic province.”

Those start today with the 2024 Boxing Canada Cup. Events include the Canada junior and senior squash championships, Canada Cup diving, Volleyball Canada youth national championships and Para Super 6 event, world athletic silver continental tour and mountain biking at the 2024 Canmore Canada Cup and Alberta Cup,” said Schow.

“With these events and the athletes they draw, comes enormous benefits to our province and the local communities that will see people staying in hotels, dining in our restaurants, shopping at our local stores, taking in our beautiful landscapes and building a lasting sense of pride in our province,” said Schow.

“We are thrilled to share our province with visitors from around the world, showcasing Alberta as the premier destination to host national, international and multi-sport games all the while proving Alberta is the place to live, to play and to visit,” said Schow.

Over the past year, the UCP has provided $2.5 million in funding through its Major Sport Event grant program to support sporting events across Alberta, says the government.

Through that grant, the province has committed more than $500,000 to help support six international and national competitions including boxing, squash, diving, volleyball, mountain biking and track and field athletics. The six events are estimated to have a total global viewership in the hundreds of thousands across 40 countries, says the province.

“Alberta’s proud history of hosting world-class sport events continues as we make these investments, driving economic growth, creating jobs and supporting businesses. That’s good news for all Albertans, especially for those who won’t want to miss the chance to see world-class athletes competing in our own backyard. These six events will create opportunities for Alberta athletes to experience the excitement of competing in front of a hometown crowd and inspire the next generation of Alberta athletes,” says Schow.

“The MSE grant provides up to $250,000 to eligible sport events to help with costs associated with hosting national and international scope competitions, including facility rentals, venue enhancements, promotional and marketing campaigns, broadcasting and ensuring top-notch accommodations for athletes and attendees,” says the province in a release.

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