Lanarkshire team fly out to 2010 International Children's Games

The team and coaches left Strathclyde Park Watersports Centre to cheers and shouts of encouragement from friends and family as they set off for Glasgow Airport.

Councillor Jim Smith, joint-chair of the Lanarkshire 2011 Organising Committee, said: "Winning medals will obviously be a huge boost for the athletes, however the principle ethos of the Games is all about competing in an atmosphere of solidarity, friendship and fair play.

"Meeting youngsters from other countries and cultures will be a hugely positive and inspiring one that will benefit each and every one of the 20 Team Lanarkshire youngsters taking part.

"I'll be accepting the handover to Lanarkshire at the end of the closing ceremony at the Manama Games. It will be a great honour to be the Lanarkshire head delegate and it will mark the beginning of a very exciting year for Lanarkshire in the run up to the 2011 International Children's Games."

Lanarkshire's team, all aged 13-15, will compete against the best in their age group from around the world in football, athletics, taekwon-do and sailing. The team will be hoping to surpass last year's haul of seven medals including gold in the girls 4x100m relay.