Local MP Alan Mak has called on residents to back his bid for the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay to come to the Havant Constituency.
The iconic Queen’s Baton will travel the length and breadth of the Commonwealth in the lead up to the start of the Birmingham Games in July.
Mr Mak has launched his bid for the Baton to visit the Havant Constituency due to its sporting success, historic links to the Commonwealth and unique geography.
Visiting all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth during its 294-day journey, the Baton carries a message from the Queen which will be read out at the Opening Ceremony. The formal bid has been submitted to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee ahead of a decision in April on the national route for the England leg of the relay.
In submitting the bid, Mr Mak highlighted the recent Gold Medal success at the Tokyo Olympics of Hayling Island's Eilidh McIntyre and the quality of sporting venues in the constituency. The constituency also enjoys close links to the Commonwealth through the Royal Navy, which has carried out many humanitarian missions throughout the Commonwealth, with many former servicemen and women living locally.
Mr Mak said: “We are all looking forward this summer to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and there could be no more fitting a way to mark the occasion than hosting the Baton Relay in the Constituency.
“It would be a moment to come together and share in the Commonwealth ideals of friendship and prosperity. But to really strengthen our bid, I want residents to show their support on my website.”
To back the bid, residents can visit: www.AlanMak.org.uk/Bid
The Queen’s Baton Relay is also calling for nominations from the public to become a batonbearer. In total there will be 2,022 batonbearers with inspiring stories carrying the Queen’s Baton across England.
Mr Mak was an Olympic torchbearer for his services to the children’s charity Magic Breakfast at the London 2012 Games.
He added: “We have so many outstanding community volunteers here in the Constituency. Many of whom volunteered throughout the pandemic and were recognised through my Coronavirus Community Hero Awards.
“I know personally how special it was to be chosen as an Olympic torchbearer and if you know if anyone who has an inspiring story or is an outstanding community champion, nominate them online.”
You can nominate somebody to a Birmingham 2022 batonbearer online by visiting www.birmingham2022.com
Picture: Alan with Perry, the official mascot of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
