Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has appointed Ama Agbeze and Geoff Thompson to the board of the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee to help deliver the biggest sporting and cultural event ever staged in the West Midlands.
Originally from Birmingham, Ama Agbeze captained Team England's netballers to their historic Commonwealth gold medal at the Gold Coast 2018 Games, as well as winning a bronze medal at the Melbourne 2006 Games. Ama is also ambassador for the United by Birmingham 2022 community programme. With her in-depth knowledge of international sport and as a qualified lawyer, she has held a number of roles as an ambassador, trustee and board member to various charitable organisations as well as Commonwealth Games England over recent years.
Geoff is a former five times world karate champion and sports administrator, with experience in the bidding, hosting and legacy planning of major events including the Manchester 2002 and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. He is the founder of Youth Charter, a UK-based international charity and has also held a number of board appointments including with the London Legacy Development Corporation, the Muhammad Ali Center and the Independent Advisory Panel of the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “I’m delighted to be able to appoint Ama and Geoff to the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee board. Having both competed at the highest level and excelled in work across sport more widely, I know their experience will be invaluable to the board.
“They will play an important role in delivering the biggest sporting and cultural event the West Midlands has ever held, showcasing the best of the UK in what will be a landmark year for the country."
The board oversees the planning and delivery of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It remains on budget and on schedule to be held from 28 July to 8 August 2022.
The board is made up of sports, civic and business experts and leaders representing Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority, the UK Government, Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games England. Members of the board will serve until 30 June 2023 following the delivery of the Games.
Chair of the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee board, John Crabtree, said: “It is an absolute pleasure to be able to welcome Ama and Geoff to the Birmingham 2022 board and I am very much looking forward to getting their input, insight and ideas as we ramp up the delivery of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“Their sporting expertise speaks for itself - they are world beaters and incredibly inspiring individuals. They know what it takes to seize an opportunity in order to achieve something great. From our conversations so far they have made clear how passionate they are about Birmingham and the West Midlands and how they share in our vision to bring the benefits of these Games to as many people as possible. They are very welcome additions to the board.”
Ama Agbeze said: “Having a major competition on your doorstep is a rarity. Therefore, being part of the Organising Committee for a Commonwealth Games that will showcase your home city and its surroundings to the world is an absolute privilege for me - a definite once in a lifetime opportunity which I will relish. I am looking forward to fully engaging with the role and working with John and the rest of the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee Board to ensure the Games are a celebration of sport, community, culture and equality.”
Geoff Thompson added: “I am excited to be returning to my home region of the West Midlands and joining the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee. My aim is to contribute to the delivery of a Games that will bring the global Commonwealth community together and celebrate a diversity of legacy, hope and opportunity to our young people and communities both at home and abroad.”
