Sports Minister Stwart Maxwell hosted a reception at Edinburgh Castle on Friday night (7 November) to pay tribute to the Scottish Commonwealth Youth Games team that competed in Pune, India last month.

44 athletes flew the flag for Scotland in India where, for the first time, all 71 Commonwealth countries participated in the Youth Games.

Mr Maxwell said:

“These young athletes performed very well, not only winning 18 medals but improving on personal best performances.They demonstrated outstanding effort and dedication in pursuit of personal excellence.

“The Commonwealth Youth Games is an excellent experience for any young athlete. It allows them to participate in a major multi-sport event, which is invaluable when attempting to qualify for future Commonwealth Games.

“These young athletes were a credit to themselves, their families and were tremendous ambassadors for their sport and the young people of Scotland.”
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “I am very proud of all our athletes who performed extremely well in some difficult conditions.

“I am sure they will have learnt a great deal from the experience, competing internationally against their peers for the first time and I am sure many of them will be inspired and go on to represent Scotland in Delhi in 2010.”