It is expected that 18 local school children will compete in the International Children’s Games (ICG) in August 2022, with teams travelling from across the globe to take part in athletics, swimming, tennis, table tennis, football, climbing and basketball.

The plan for a South Lanarkshire team to attend the games, for the first time since 2015, was approved by South Lanarkshire Council’s Executive Committee on Wednesday.

Council Leader John Ross said: “The Children’s Games are endorsed by the International Olympic Committee and they are a fantastic opportunity for young people from all over the world to meet one another with competitive sport as a background.

“South Lanarkshire co-hosted the event in 2011 with North Lanarkshire and even 10 years on I know that those who took part still talk fondly about it and how it gave them a unique experience and great confidence in themselves.

“I am delighted that South Lanarkshire young people will once again be taking part in this amazing event, at which I am sure they will represent our area with flair and purpose.”

The first ICG took place in Slovenia in 1968, but it was not until 2000 that South Lanarkshire first took part, after accepting an invitation issued by hosts Hamilton, in Ontario, Canada, for namesake towns to participate.

Since then, local young people have taken part in events in Cleveland and San Francisco (USA), Reykjavik (Iceland), Windsor (Canada), Athens (Greece), Manama (Bahrain) and Alkmaar (Netherlands). A team also attended the games the first time they were held in Coventry, in 2005.

The Executive Committee agreed a maximum contribution of £12,000 towards sending the team to the next games, between 11 and 16 August 2022, though it is intended that external funding will be raised through sponsorship and fundraising.

After the Alkmaar games in 2015 it was agreed that any future teams could be selected from youngsters who are members of South Lanarkshire based clubs, as well as those who live in the area and/or attend schools in the area.

It is anticipated that the final team will include 18 sports participants and five support staff, with participants selected using a range of criteria including performance, current personal bests, rankings, and performance at dedicated squad training sessions.

Please watch our YouTube video about Metod Klemenc - the father of the games.