IMAGE: A celebratory snap on Opening Ceremony Day and in completion of the Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, with Nigel Huddleston MP: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Member of Parliament for the County Constituency of Mid Worcestershire

11:50AM BST - THURSDAY JULY 28TH 2022, BIRMINGHAM, WEST MIDLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM

In a time which the world needs something to be excited and motivated about, to be truly moved by and to be inspired to take on new and extraordinary challenges, the XXII (22nd) Commonwealth Games of Birmingham and the West Midlands beginning today will be the most beautiful illustration of just that.

And with today having come around - the last 23 months and 3 days (703 days to be easy) since first opening up my Laptop, since logging on to my email and since speaking to two of the most wonderful divisional heads which anyone can ask for, have been without the question the greatest of my life.

I don’t say it for saying it’s sake, I say it knowing of the way which I’ve developed into the world of work, along with the immense connections I’ve created and through the opportunities which have landed at me feet.

If anyone said I would have completed an Apprenticeship to enhance me even more, alongside having my name in two legacy reports, alongside engaging with a Senior Royal, featuring in three Organising Committee Videos and say words in front of 1,300 people at Symphony Hall, I of course would have not believed a single thing!

So to know I’ve ticked all that off and more feels beyond gratifying and proves the power of major events and opportunity to a T. This is not just because of my growth, but knowing competition and celebration like this brings people together in such distinctly unique ways, which for me has resulted in working with truly outstanding folk and means I have some terrific connections across the region to maintain and cherish.

And seeing the West Midlands’ cultural scene come alive; not least after the worst possible blow of the pandemic has made it feel fully worth it. The brining together of over 250 16–30-year-olds in a fully inclusive environment, to show the power of Dance in the project of Critical Mass without question my biggest highlight and it will be tough to wipe off my smile for a few days, when they perform as part of tonight’s Opening Ceremony.

Most of all, the startling scale of such an event and the knowledge that my very name – in Kashmire Darren Singh Hawker, has been an individual a part of the organisation of Birmingham and the West Midland’s biggest ever gathering, fills me with deep gratitude.

I do give my wholehearted thanks to everyone at B2022 for giving me such a wonderful opportunity – not least all part of the Ceremonies, Culture and Queen’s Baton Relay division and at UNBOXED 2022. Everyone who’ve encountered, worked with and got to know define extraordinary, thanks to their immense support and creativity and I’m proud to call all of you friends for life.

The Sport may now be here and might finish in a flash, but the memories and legacy of The Games For Everyone will be something to gleam about until I draw my eternal breath.

See you post the games as the Festival goes on until the end of September and please and simply: ENJOY IT, BAB!