Commonwealth Games 2022: Sparkhill Park brings sports and arts, crafts to local children

Local residents at Sparkhill Park on Stratford Road came together on a bright Saturday morning (30 July) to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.

Families lounged on bright pink bean bags following the sporting events on the big screen set up there while children engaged in sports and arts and crafts. On offer were engaging and innovate sports local to the community, which is ethnically diverse. A local coach taught cricket to the children, who practiced bowling.

The most unique sport on offer was Kho Kho, played in the Indian Subcontinent. Kho Kho England’s general secretary Rohit Haldania was umpiring the friendly matches between the youngsters of the community. Haldania was introduced to the sports by his father and eventually fell in love with it. He started playing for Team Wembley. The game is currently played by only 25 countries.

Young parents strolled in the park as their children ran and played in open air.

Just like the Castle Vale festival site, the Sparkhill festival also hosted a photo gallery with images of people who straddle two different lives - one back home and one in the UK.