Dear Andy, Bob, Ian and CA Board Members,

This last fortnight – has, without question, been the finest in the history of our proud region, which has showcased our beautiful, friendly, and prideful place on the most spectacular scale.

As the Young Combined Authority Co-Chair, to have seen this occur in our times and given so much opportunity to our region’s young generation has been a dream come true.

And to have played a small and humble part as a staff member at the Birmingham 2022 Festival, plus being one of the OC’s Apprentices, has been the greatest honour of my life.

I do not doubt that Birmingham 2022 will go down as the moment which began a golden era for our region in hosting major events of the kind. With bids already in place for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest and the 2026 European Athletics Championships, alongside being part of the UK and Ireland’s Bid for UEFA EURO 2028 and Councillor Ward’s comment about a World Athletics Championship bid in the near future, makes this is a profound statement of our collective intent, and the YCA gives our full welcome and support.

And suggestions that Birmingham and the West Midlands could bid for the Games of the XXXVI (36th) or XXXVII (37th) Olympiad in 2036 or 2040 is an ambition that an area like ours should rightfully aspire to.

As a precursor to an Olympics bid and to give us the best possibility of one day hosting “The Greatest Show on Earth,” I do move the proposition that we should consider a Birmingham-led and WM-wide bid for the V (5th) or VI (6th) Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2030 or 2034.

The Youth Olympics gives 15–18-year-olds their first taste of competing at the highest level and, since its inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010, has grown in reputation and stature. More than 4,500 are expected to compete at Dakar in 2026, putting it near the same level as Birmingham 2022.

The games have not yet been held in Europe, and with the world-class infrastructure predominantly in place and us being the youngest place in our continent, along with a stellar Cultural offering as is being showcased through the Festival until September’s end, I feel these factors alone would put us in a tremendous position to strike gold.

Even if I my time on the YCA concludes on my 25th birthday on Friday September 16th, I would be more than happy to engage with you on this and help bring to life, the legacy of one of the proudest period’s we’ve ever seen and together open even more doors than ever.

Many Thanks

Kashmire