On your marks, get set to Be part of it

Date published: 11 February 2012

A spectacular international sports festival is being held in Bury this year – and local groups and businesses are being asked to play their part.

Bury Council and Bury Metro Community Twinning Association are seeking sponsorship for the XX International Youth Sports Festival, which runs from 21 to 24 June.

The festival coincides with the arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay in Bury, which will pass through the borough on Saturday 23 June.

The IYSF is an annual sporting and cultural event involving twin and friendship towns from across the EU. It is hosted each year by one of the participating towns.

Teams from towns in France, Italy, Germany, Portugal and Russia will be coming to Bury this year to take part. In all, more than 500 participants and dignitaries will be visiting our borough for an action-packed few days.

The 2012 IYSF will incorporate:

§ an official opening ceremony;
§ sporting competitions;
§ a country cohesion games;
§ an arts and culture programme;
§ a visiting dignitaries programme; and
§ a closing ceremony.

The Olympic Torch will arrive in Bury on the afternoon of Saturday 23 June, travelling from Heywood to Bury town centre, Whitefield and Prestwich and then on to Manchester for an evening celebration.

Councillor Jane Lewis, executive member for leisure, tourism and culture, said: “With the IYSF and the Olympic Torch Relay taking place over the same weekend we have the promise of an inspiring few days and a fantastic opportunity to showcase what Bury has to offer. I hope that local businesses will recognise the significance of this extra special occasion and feel able to offer it their support.

“Together I feel sure we can create an occasion that everyone will remember for many years to come.”

Any organisation interested in discussing sponsorship options or offering goods or services in return for profile at the event should contact Bury Sport and Physical Activity Service on 0161 253 5893 or email sports.development@bury.gov.uk  

Anyone wanting to organise an Olympic-inspired event on the day of the Torch Relay or at another time during 2012 can link their event with ‘Bury be part of it’, Bury’s local Cultural Olympiad campaign. For more details, visit www.bury.gov.uk/bepartofit/interested  or phone 0161 253 5893.