THE COMMUNITY Games National Finals got underway in their new home in Co Westmeath this weekend.
It is expected that over 3,000 young athletes will participate in the finals.
The games were moved to the Athlone Institute of Technology this year because Mosney, its home in Co Meath since 1973, is undergoing a facelift.
The decision to move the games, which are sponsored by the Health Service Executive, came when Mosney’s owners said the venue would be unavailable to allow for work on facilities to accommodate asylum seekers.
“Mosney was a fantastic home for the National Finals but we hope to create new opportunities and memories in the wonderful facilities in Athlone,” Community Games president Michael Curley said.
Some 500,000 children aged between six and 16 and from schools all across the country take part in the Community Games each year.
From those competitors 8,000 athletes will progress to the finals.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen officially opened the National Finals on Friday, which are scheduled to resume in Athlone from August 14th to 16th and August 21st and 23rd.
More information is available from www.communitygames.ie.
