Ring red carded!

Tuesday, 23 August 2011 10:56

Minister Michael RingSPORT Minister Michael Ring has been lashed by the National Community Games organisation for his non-appearance at any of their three national finals weekends in Athlone.

Mayo Community Games have also aired their disappointment at the Minister’s no show.

Minister Ring was invited by the president of the HSE Community Games to attend the national finals.

But after failing to show up at the first weekend in late May, Minister Ring indicated he would be attending the last weekend.

However, the Community Games headquarters received an email last week stating Minister Ring would not be attending due to other commitments.

This has brought outrage and disappointing to Community Games, according to the national PRO Margaret Bolton.

She protested: “It is a total insult to the thousands of children who took part in the games over the three weekends that the Minister for Sport, Michael Ring, failed to put in an appearance at the national finals.

“While we were disappointed he did not make an appearance on the first two weekends we were pleased at least he was going to attend for the final weekend and we would be shown some recognition.

“On behalf of the National Community Games committee and as PRO and marketing director of HSE Community Games, I am disgusted at the absolute lack of interest shown by the government minister to the work being done throughout the 32 counties.

“There are over 200,000 participants, 20,000 volunteers, 1.3 million supporters and our sponsors the HSE who deserve better treatment than this.

“We cater for children age from six to 16 and we are providing a brilliant service that should be recognised. To have no government representative at the games was very disappointing to say the least.”

Meanwhile, Mayo Community Games PRO, Michael Brophy, said the absence of Minister Ring at the finals was disappointing.

Minister Ring, when contacted by The Connaught Telegraph, said: “I have had a lot of commitments in recent weeks and I cannot make two of myself.”