CULTURE SECRETARY Oliver Dowden has appointed Ama Agbeze and Geoff Thompson to the board of the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee to help deliver the biggest sporting and cultural event ever staged in the West Midlands. 

Originally from Birmingham, Ama Agbeze captained Team England’s netballers to their historic Commonwealth gold medal at the Gold Coast 2018 Games, as well as winning a bronze medal at the Melbourne 2006 Games.

Ama is also ambassador for the United by Birmingham 2022 community programme. With her in-depth knowledge of international sport and as a qualified lawyer, she has held a number of roles as an ambassador, trustee and board member to various charitable organisations as well as Commonwealth Games England over recent years.

Geoff is a former five times world karate champion and sports administrator, with experience in the bidding, hosting and legacy planning of major events including the Manchester 2002 and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

He is the founder of Youth Charter, a UK-based international charity and has also held a number of board appointments including with the London Legacy Development Corporation, the Muhammad Ali Centre and the Independent Advisory Panel of the Professional Footballers’ Association.

John Crabtree, Chair of the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee board said: “It is an absolute pleasure to be able to welcome Ama and Geoff to the Birmingham 2022 board and I am very much looking forward to getting their input, insight and ideas as we ramp up the delivery of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”

Ama added: “Having a major competition on your doorstep is a rarity. Therefore, being part of the Organising Committee for a Commonwealth Games that will showcase your home city and its surroundings to the world is an absolute privilege for me – a definite once in a lifetime opportunity which I will relish. I am looking forward to fully engaging with the role and working with John and the rest of the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee Board to ensure the Games are a celebration of sport, community, culture and equality.”

Geoff said: “I am excited to be returning to my home region of the West Midlands and joining the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee.

“My aim is to contribute to the delivery of a Games that will bring the global Commonwealth community together and celebrate a diversity of legacy, hope and opportunity to our young people and communities both at home and abroad.”