| Allan Wilson:
I thank colleagues
for all their good wishes. I must, however, correct Irene McGugan, as this
is not my ministerial debut. That took place, as those members who were
there will know, in the great sheep dip debate of last week. I also thank
all those who contributed so sportingly to today's debate.
Sport is of
great intrinsic value. We should never forget the pure pleasure that comes
from taking part in sport. Playing is reward in itself and is a satisfying
experience that many of us, including Fergus Ewing, have had. Sport is
basically good fun. It therefore seems natural to us in the Labour party,
the Liberal Democrats and the nationalists—this agenda cuts across political
parties—to give that pleasurable experience to as many Scots as we can.
Opening up the
pleasure of participation is a worthwhile objective in itself, but we are
committed to seeing our people succeed and to building their confidence.
A lack of confidence, low self-esteem and low self-worth often contribute
to many of the problems and difficulties that we must tackle in modern
Scotland, such as drug abuse.
This debate
has made clear the role that sport has to play in building confidence,
creating opportunity and, as Hugh Henry said, giving hope to communities.
Well-being, confidence and opportunity: each feeds the others in a virtuous
circle of personal and national growth. We are engaged in the pursuit of
excellence and, as Margo MacDonald said, teachers play a pivotal role in
that.
That is why
my passion for sport is easily reinforced by my passion for politics and
social justice. My new environment role links with sport and culture in
many ways, particularly in the maintenance of green and open spaces.
Mr Monteith:
Would the deputy minister care to list five
ways in which environment helps sport?
Allan Wilson:
I have already mentioned one and there are many links with open-air activities
such as the sport of mountain climbing, which my colleague, Sam Galbraith,
pursued. There are many more besides.
With sport Scotland,
we are giving strong leadership to governing bodies, sports clubs, local
authorities and other organisations that all have a major role to play
in giving the sporting experience to as many people as possible. I take
the point about appointments, but appointments are made on the basis of
merit, not of residence.
In the next
few weeks, I will endeavour to meet as many of those organisations as possible
to hear their views and ideas about what has been done and what has to
be done, in relation to shinty as well as to swimming. I will also take
the opportunity to talk to as many people as possible in local government.
I will be stressing to them the role that I believe sport has to play in
their objectives for social, cultural and economic prosperity. We will
lead by example on this issue. Sport Scotland will receive an increase in
funding of nearly 20 per cent and we shall announce soon the details of
a further £9 million investment.
Money from the
national lottery has been vital in the good start that we have made; those
resources will be a key part of the additional funding that has been announced.
The next round of new opportunities fund initiatives will see £87
million pumped into sports facilities and development with the primary
objective of giving our young people attractive and positive alternatives
to criminal and anti-social behaviour.
Last week, I
was in Birmingham arguing the case for bringing the Ryder cup to Scotland.
I am glad that our colleagues in the SNP have dropped their initial negativity
to that proposal because, if our bid is successful, it will be a huge achievement
for the Executive and our nation.
Our ambitions
do not stop there, of course. In 2001, we will be developing a strategy
for attracting major sporting and cultural events to Scotland. The European
championships have been mentioned; the Dutch study to which the SNP referred
in a letter to Rhona Brankin was not to do with feasibility but was conducted
after the event and examined the economic benefit of Euro 2000. We will
obtain up-to-date information about the economic benefits to Holland and
Belgium of staging Euro 2000. The Scottish Football Association is carrying
out a preliminary feasibility study that will seek to quantify that economic
gain. We have said to the SFA that we are willing to support it in all
its efforts.
In conclusion—[MEMBERS:
"Aw."] It is a shame, I know, but all good things must come to an end.
This is an exciting time to be involved in sport and sports development
in Scotland. I hope that I have shown where that fits into the big picture.
This debate has shown that the Scottish Parliament sees a huge role for
sport in building a confident and successful country. We have the vision,
we have the people and we have the energy. Social equality and justice
is our goal. Sport for all is a pivotal midfield player in the strategy
to score that goal.
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