University to become centre for sporting excellence

Published on Wednesday 14 May 2008 16:41

One of Scotland's universities is to become a centre for sporting excellence to boost the country's athletic prowess, First Minister Alex Salmond said today.

Stirling will be designated as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.

With 600,000 of cash from the Scottish Funding Council, it will act as the hub of a national network of universities and colleges providing training and support for Scotland's best athletes.

Mr Salmond announced the move in a speech marking the Scottish Government's first year, which also set out some of its future goals.

But he acknowledged that both his speech and the legislative programme set out today in Westminster by the Prime Minister would be "eclipsed" by the Uefa Cup Final.

"So let me convey the very best wishes of this chamber to Walter Smith and his team for their Uefa Cup Final match."

His speech also included the announcement of plans for an annual 2 million Saltire Innovation fund to boost inventiveness in businesses, colleges and universities.

There is also to be a pilot scheme by the environment ministry to increase "substantially" public access to information.

And a new way approach to public accountability, "Scotland Performs," modelled on what happens in the US state of Virginia, would focus on how the administration delivered "national outcomes".