Calls for Cornwall to be allowed to enter its own team at the next Commonwealth Games
Last updated 2nd Aug 2022
With the 2022 Commonwealth Games underway in Birmingham, Mebyon Kernow has called for a Cornwall team to be allowed to enter in the next Games.
Cllr Ryan Congdon (MK spokesperson on sport) said: "The Cornish were formally recognised as a National Minority through the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in 2014, but there continues to be significant barriers to the proper recognition of the Cornish nation.
"Just as we campaign for greater political and economic powers, it is right that we also seek greater representation in sports as a National Minority.
"A total of 72 nations or territories are represented at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and Cornwall will be the only Celtic land and constituent part of the United Kingdom without a team.
"In addition to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, there will also be teams from other parts of the British Isles such as Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man – all with populations much less than that of Cornwall.
"Why shouldn't Cornwall be represented?"
"Our recognition and constitutional rights should mean that (Kernow) the nation of Cornwall has the same opportunities for its people as those of the other Celtic countries.
"Why shouldn't Cornwall be represented at the Commonwealth Games with our flag flying proudly alongside the other Commonwealth countries, both large and small?"
Cllr Congdon, who serves on Camborne Town Council, added: "As a keen supporter of Cornish rugby, I would love to see men and women wearing Cornwall's black & gold in the Commonwealth rugby sevens competition. Just think how exciting that would be for our nation and such a boost for representative sport in Cornwall".
The next Commonwealth Games will be held in 2026 in Victoria, Australia; MK is calling on the UK Government and the Commonwealth Games Federation to recognise Cornwall as an international sporting nation.