The University of Warwick has responded to the City Council’s call for more sponsorship for the International Children’s Games by doubling its support to just over a quarter of a million pounds.

Initially the University agreed to fund the games by providing £125,000 of the accommodation and sports facilities hire costs but now the University has risen to the Councils call for further support and increased its total support to £255,650 covering everything from accommodation costs, to the web site design, printing costs and even the games closing party for the children.

The University of Warwick is one of the city of Coventry’s most significant international ambassadors. It attracts students from over 140 countries across the world, many of whom have returned to positions of considerable political and commercial authority in their home countries. It regularly attracts significant international visitors to the campus including in recent years US President Bill Clinton and the then Malaysian Prime-Minster Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Warwick’s Vice Chancellor Professor David VandeLinde said:

“Warwick has welcomed many international visitors over the years but we are particularly looking forward to welcoming this key cohort of the world’s young people who have so much combined talent and potential to achieve so much in the coming years. The International Children’s Games will be an unmissable international showcase for both the City of Coventry and the Games’ individual sponsors. This quarter of a million pounds makes the University a principal sponsor of the games and we hope it will spur many other key players in the city to support this showcase event for the city”

For further details contact: Peter Dunn, Press & Media Relations Manager

PR30 29th April 2005 Email: p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk