sportscotland today announced that it will invest £110,000 in Commonwealth Games Scotland, the body responsible for the selection and preparation of Scottish teams for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games.

The funding announced today will support the CGS core operating costs during the build up to the Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in Pune, India from 12 to 18 October this year.

In addition, the Scottish Commonwealth Youth Games team has been granted £50,000 from the Commonwealth Games Endowment Fund to support preparations for Pune. The fund was established by the Scottish Government following the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester to support Scotland’s Games teams.

Announcing the funding Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport said:

“Participation in the forthcoming Commonwealth Youth Games in India will, I hope, be a stepping stone to further success for our young athletes who dream of representing Scotland at the 2014 Games in Glasgow.

“This funding allows Commonwealth Games Scotland to put in place the structures that will hopefully deliver success for our young athletes.

“The whole nation is gearing up for the 2014 Games, the most spectacular sporting event ever to be held in Scotland. It will be an excellent opportunity to highlight Glasgow, a modern, vibrant, dynamic city and will also showcase all 21st century Scotland has to offer.”

For the first time ever, all 71 Commonwealth countries and territories will take part in the Youth Games with around 1200 athletes competing. The main benefit is that it gives athletes the chance to experience a major multi-sport Games before they are involved at senior level. This is an initiative that has already paid off, with 12 of the Scottish team from the Youth Games in 2004 gaining selection for the 2006 Commonwealth Games Team in Melbourne.

While the focus of the Youth Games is about preparing athletes and their coaches for what lies ahead, the Games in Bendigo also proved to be hugely successful for the Scottish team who netted a haul of 52 medals, finishing fourth in the medal table.

Louise Martin CBE, the new Chair of sportscotland said: “Commonwealth Games Scotland is one of our key partners and we are delighted to make this investment to allow them to continue their excellent work.

“With Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014 the profile of the Games and the Scottish team has never been higher. We must capitalise on this by ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to best support our athletes as they prepare for the Commonwealth Youth Games later this year and beyond to Delhi and of course, Glasgow.”

Welcoming the investment, Michael Cavanagh, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Thanks to sportscotland funding, we have been able to professionalise our organisation, which has delivered benefits in terms of results at the last two Games. With Endowment Fund support we have been able to build on investment from our sponsors to enhance our team preparations. With 2014 on the horizon, we will continue to refine our current structure and operations to ensure we will further deliver Scotland’s aspirations of success, firstly in India and then in our home Games.”