The Minister for Education and Children has underlined the value of promoting the Island on the world stage following his return from the Special Olympics World Games.

Tim Crookall MLC, whose Department is responsible for sport, attended the Games, in Los Angeles (25th July-2nd August), to support the Island’s 25-strong team.

While there, he participated in the Doha GOALS Forum, three days of events that brought together political, business and sports leaders from around the world.

Among many topics, the forum considered the social impact of sport and how it can improve health; the fusion between sport and business; sport’s role in globalisation; its ability to boost tourism and the role technology plays in sport.

The forum was opened by His Excellency Sheikh Faisal Al-Thani, Executive Director, Doha GOALS.

Keynote speeches were given by the presidents of Gabon, Togo, Rwanda and Panama. Carl Lewis and Michael Phelps were among a host of Olympians and world champions addressing the event.

‘With 6,500 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 165 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and half a million spectators, the Special Olympics World Games was the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world this year,’ the Minister said.

‘The Doha GOALS Forum ran alongside the Games and addressed sport’s power to bridge divides in society and sports as a catalyst for transformation and change – themes reflected in our own Strategy for Sport 2014-24.

‘It was an honour to discuss with heads of state, leading names in business and sporting champions the positive impact sport can have on society as a whole, the world over.’

The Minister attended the Games’ spectacular opening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, performed by America’s First Lady, Michelle Obama.

Mr Crookall entered the stadium with the Isle of Man team – something he described as one of the proudest moments of his life.

He followed the Manx team as it competed and saw the team secure a haul of gold, silver and bronze medals.

Speaking as he and fellow political members welcomed home the team at Isle of Man Airport today, the Minister said: ‘Through their dedication, our athletes have overcome disability to reach the pinnacle of their sports and the whole Island should be proud of their achievements in these Games.

‘This is the biggest team the Island has ever had in the Special Olympics and our athletes have won friends the world over for the spirit in which they competed.’