SDLP Foyle Assembly candidate, Mark H Durkan, has called on government departments to support the Foyle Cup football tournament.
The annual Derry competition, which attracts thousands of visitors to the city, has had its Tourism NI funding cut by 50 per cent – from £20,000 to £10,000.
Mr Durkan said: ''The Foyle Cup tournament is a tremendous spectacle. Every year, young footballers from across the country and beyond look forward to playing in it and businesses in the North West look forward to the boost that it brings them.
“This decision by Tourism NI to half funding to the Foyle Cup is a bad one. I have already spoken to the Minister, Jonathan Bell, about this.
“While the competition does boost Derry's tourism figures, and that is why Tourism NI do fund it, it is clearly a sporting event and therefore the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure clearly have a responsibility here too.
“It is a historic year for soccer in Ireland, with both our international teams competing in the European Championships.
“The fact that players across both squads have played in the Foyle Cup demonstrates the calibre of the tournament and the key role that events like this play in the development of young players. DCAL needs to step in and cough up.''
Photo shows thousands the opening ceremony of last year's Foyle Cup tournament.
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