Birmingham 2022: Search on for 2,022 baton-bearers

The search is underway to find 2,022 baton-bearers for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this year.

Those chosen will take part in the Queen’s Baton Relay by being able to carry the prestigious baton in their region before the Games get underway this summer.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Games tradition that helps to connect communities across the Commonwealth, and shines a light on untold stories and unsung local heroes from the places it visits.

The baton will be handed to the Queen at the opening ceremony.

People are now being encouraged to nominate those to be a baton-bearer at this year’s event.

The Birmingham 2022 organisation said they are looking for people who “have a unique and inspiring story, are a figure of inspiration who positively challenges others to achieve their best, or is passionate about making a positive impact within their community.”

Commemorative mural unveiled

To mark the launch of the baton bearer nominations, a commemorative mural has been officially unveiled by Kadeena Cox.

The four-time Paralympic champion was the first baton bearer to receive the baton from The Queen at the launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace in October last year.

This artwork has been designed and created by one of the UK’s most prolific street artists: Gent 48, aka Josh Billingham.

Located on Navigation Street, near New Street train station, the vibrant mural celebrates the journey of the Queen’s Baton Relay and features illustrations and symbols of inspiring community figures, which represent the 2,022 baton bearers currently being sought.

Birmingham 2022’s very own ‘Hometown Heroes’ Haseebah Abdullah and Salma Bi BEM are showcased in the mural in recognition of their achievements.

Haseebah, the first hijab-wearing boxing coach in England and an ambassador for women’s sport, and Salma, who founded the first all Asian women’s cricket team and has encouraged over 1,000 local girls to get involved in grassroots sports, were also involved in the launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay.

Kadeena said: “I was incredibly proud to be the first baton-bearer at the launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay last year, and it’s now a real privilege to be in Birmingham to help launch the search to find even more baton-bearers across the country. The commemorative mural is amazing and perfectly captures the spirit of the Games – it’s been fantastic seeing the public’s reaction today.

“The Queen’s Baton Relay is a wonderful chance for people to get involved and nominate someone inspiring they know for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

How to nominate a baton-bearer

Nominations can be made by visiting the Birmingham 2022 website, here, and submitting 100 words or less on how the nominee is making a difference in their community and why they deserve to take on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Nominations are open for all nine regions of England, which is where the Baton will visit in summer and Batonbearers must be aged 12 or over as of the 2 June 2022.

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