Sporting chance for kids

Sep 14 2007 By Catherine Lillington, Birmingham Mail

SPORTING stars of the future can test their skills on an inflatable pitch a free city festival on Sunday.

The area outside Millennium Point will be turned into a sports fans' paradise, with different activities organised into zones.

SportsFest, run by expert coaches, will include netball, swimming, rugby, golf, gymnastics, tennis and boxing.

There will also be displays of fitness activities for adults on the stage area.

Birmingham's former Olympic heptathlon champion, Denise Lewis, is the official ambassador for this year's event and will be there from 11am until 3pm, talking to youngsters.

The event, which is now in its fourth year, aims to tackle childhood obesity by encouraging youngsters, aged seven to 14, into sport. It has been organised by Birmingham City Council and is supported by the Birmingham Mail, BBC WM, Millennium Point and Marketing Birmingham.

Coun Ray Hassall, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: "It provides a fun opportunity for young people to either develop their skills at a sport they already enjoy or to try a huge variety of new sports.

"This is another example of the council providing great free events."

The first 500 young people who register will receive a goody bag.