Michael McGimpsey: "Sport is about having fun"

"Sport is also about having fun and getting the opportunity to compete against and to socialise with the other young people taking part.

"These elements are just as important as winning, as they contribute significantly to personal development."

He added that children's energy, enthusiasm and vitality could be channelled into sport and recreation, saying it would "help young people to mature into the responsible adults of tomorrow and society will reap the benefits".

"I am confident that the positive effect these are having on our young people provides a tremendous platform on which to build a future of peace and harmony in our province," he said.

Attracted funding

Mr McGimpsey said that as a result of the games, each of the five local education and library Boards had established schools of sport to help develop individual skills in a wide range of sports.

The event was organised by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, in conjunction with Belfast City Council, Queen's University and the Governing Bodies of Sport.

As well as funding from the organisers, the event also attracted financial support from the NI Sports Lottery Fund, the Northern Ireland Millennium Company, local authorities and commercial sponsors, including Golden Cow who have given �20,000 to the event.