WORLD LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2010 IN MANCHESTER

That this House notes the approaching FIL Men's World Lacrosse Championships, competed for by 33 international teams, due to take place in Manchester in July 2010, bringing over 20,000 people to the region with an estimated economic impact of £6.7 million; further notes that although it has been the policy of UK Sport to fund major sporting events in the UK, the World Lacrosse Championships, costing English Lacrosse £1.4 million, has been denied funding; further notes that the England Men's team, ranked 5th in the world, will be competing; further notes that it costs up to £300,000 to run the squad each year and that Sport England funding is not provided to cover this cost, leaving players to pay their own way; regrets that lacrosse is not recognised by the International Olympic Committee despite its popularity around the world; and congratulates the England women's team on finishing 4th in the recent 2009 Lacrosse World Cup.