and birmingham to enjoy. so it s notjust money the government has pumped into helping to put on a fantastic commonwealth games, it s also about what s left behind for birmingham as well. i m joined now by baton holder, dr samara afzal thank you forjoining us. what did it mean to you when you found out you were going to be one of those carrying the pattern? goad you were going to be one of those carrying the pattern? good morning. it was carrying the pattern? good morning. it was exciting carrying the pattern? good morning. it was exciting when carrying the pattern? good morning. it was exciting when i carrying the pattern? good morning. it was exciting when i got carrying the pattern? good morning. it was exciting when i got the - it was exciting when i got the e mail and i couldn t believe it, i showed my friends and family, it was such a huge honour and privilege to be able to hold it in my home city in birmingham. be able to hold it in my home city in birmingham. be able to
died at the age of 93. legal history will be made later today as broadcasters will air judges sentencing remarks from crown courts in england and wales for the first time time following a change in the law. # everybody needs good neighbours.# and farewell to neighbours after four decades teary eyed fans in australia prepare to watch the show s final episode. hello and welcome if you re watching in the uk or around the world. the opening ceremony of the 22nd commonwealth games takes place in birmingham tonight. prince charles will represent the queen and 30,000 people will be inside the alexander stadium, with millions more watching around the world.
complicate things a little but there is no doubt this is a popular global event that has found its niche in the world of modern sport. it is not the olympics, it is more a family friendly event but it does allow opportunities for advancing women in sport. we had the previous record. birmingham has just beaten us in terms of the number of women participating. ub40, another local favourite, have just released the official anthem, appropriately titled, champion. there should be plenty of them to look forward to in the coming days. tim allman, bbc news. the culture, media and sport secretary, nadine dorries, says the event will benefit the area in years to come. on a number of occasions, i ve visited the new aquatics centre, i don t know if you ve been there yet but it is quite special and that s going to be left for the community
to see, the long term effects will be? i to see, the long-term effects will be? ., , to see, the long-term effects will be? ~ , to see, the long-term effects will be? ., , ~ , , to see, the long-term effects will be? «r, , be? i hope kids will be watching the names and be? i hope kids will be watching the games and whether be? i hope kids will be watching the games and whether its be? i hope kids will be watching the games and whether its athletics, i games and whether its athletics, hockey or cricket, it s fantastic it is in birmingham, which is a diverse community and a vibrant city and it is fantastic for everybody in birmingham that the games are being held here. i birmingham that the games are being held here. ., birmingham that the games are being held here. . . . ~ birmingham that the games are being held here. ., . a , held here. i imagined the cricket is one of the answers held here. i imagined the cricket is one of the answers but held here. i imagined the cricket i
the show will include performances from local music and dance groups, emphasising the city s diversity. more than 5,000 athletes are set to compete over a packed 11 days. they will be representing 72 nations and territories. the queen s baton will also be a key part of that ceremony, after being carried for 294 days through commonwealth countries. athletes will compete in 19 sports and 280 medal events, which will include for the first time women s t20 cricket, three on three basketball, and three on three wheelchair basketball. also for the first time, there are more medals for women than for men and para events are all part of the main games. this report from tim allman. birmingham is ready to party. a veteran british comedian and local boy to boot, sir lenny henry was among those