London_BorisFebruary 22 - Nearly £50,000 ($81,000) of funding into grass-roots youth sport has been announced at a City Hall event attended by the London Mayor Boris Johnson and sports stars, including Commonwealth Games weightlifting bronze medallist Zoe Smith and 100 times capped England ladies footballer Rachel Yankey.


Now in their fifth year, the Balfour Beatty Sports Development Grants with 95.8 Capital FM Help a Capital Child deliver funding to London Boroughs for disadvantaged youngsters who may not otherwise take part in sport or physical activity.

Since being established in 2007, £250,000 ($404,000) has been given to 135 projects, benefiting around 10,000 young people.

This year's awards were spread among 18 London Borough projects and are expected to benefit up to around 3,500 disadvantaged young people in London.

Johnson said: "A key test for the 2012 Games will be ensuring a sporting legacy that will see increased participation at all levels and across all ages.

"The London Youth Games has already produced some great sporting champions and will no doubt continue to be the catalyst that pushes future stars to achieve at the very highest levels.

"Balfour Beatty are to be applauded for continuing to support this important annual event, which builds up youngsters' confidence and competitive spirit, as well as producing world beating winners."

Anthony Kendall, Chairman of the London Youth Games Foundation said: "With such huge emphasis currently being placed on the on-going use of the Olympic Stadium post-2012, it is important to not forget another critical element of the 2012 legacy.

"It is worth reminding ourselves of the words of Seb Coe used the day London secured the Games in Singapore in 2005.

"On that day he spoke of the need to 'inspire a generation of young people to take part in local volunteering, cultural and physical activity'

"With the support of key funding partners like Balfour Beatty and Sport England National Lottery Funding, the London Youth Games Foundation is playing an enormous role in ensuring London will see a long-term legacy of more young people in competitive sport beyond 2012.

"Our annual event enjoyed a record breaking year in 2010, with over 50,000 young Londoners taking part.

"Through these grants we can open up opportunities for even more young people across London to take part in competitive sport and fulfil their potential."