Call to revive Brum's Muhammed Ali centre

Aug 13 2007

CAMPAIGNERS who remember with pride the day boxing legend Muhammad Ali came to town today stepped up their bid to remember his visit.

The three times world champion came to Birmingham 24 years ago this week to open the Muhammad Ali Centre.

But the families who benefited from the now derelict Hockley centre today demanded action from city council chiefs to breathe fresh life into it.

"There isn't a black person living in this area that didn't feel a great pride the day Muhammad Ali came here to open this centre," said Connie Cooper-Jones, who lives opposite the Icknield Street centre in Hockley.

"But look at what it has become - nothing."

The centre is now surrounded by signs directing people to the Sealife Centre, Millennium Point and Think Tank.

But Connie said: "This centre was here way before these other attractions.

"I've had five children and I know that the quality of my life and that of my children would have been so much better if this centre had been open for us when my family was growing up, but it's been derelict for more than a decade."

London-based film maker Keith Musaman, who was born in Handsworth, organised an event to celebrate Ali's visit to Birmingham 24 years ago.

Musicians staged an event directly outside the council-owned building.

"I remember the excitement of Ali coming and I even got to shake his hand," said Keith. "The centre was always at the heart of so many events in people's lives from christenings and funerals to music gigs and youth centre-type events."

A city council spokesman said: "We are keen to ensure that the building will continue to be used by the community in the future and we are currently looking at ways to make this possible."