A COMPETITION to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Manx Youth Games has been launched by event sponsor HSBC and the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure.

It is for children in primary school years three to six and their goal is to design the front cover of the souvenir programme from this year's event.

The closing date for the competition is Friday, March 18.

Community, Culture and Leisure Minister David Cretney MHK said: "This competition is a great way to engage young people within our community, whilst raising the awareness of this wonderful sporting event.

"The 10th HSBC Manx Youth Games take place on the 21st May and will be a great celebration of the Island's young sporting talent."

The successful pupil will win £100 worth of the Sports Development Unit's popular school holiday programme of activities and a large framed print of their design.

They will also be invited to visit the printers to see their design coming to life hot off the printing press.

The school the winning pupil attends will win £400 worth of sports equipment and a large framed print of the winning design.

The prizes will be presented to the winning pupil and school on the day of the event in May.

Education and Children Minister Eddie Teare MHK said: "The HSBC Manx Youth Games has achieved many objectives since it was launched 10 years ago.

"I have been impressed by the range of sports covered and the increasing number of children taking part.

"This encourages young people to become involved in sport which is, in the long term, beneficial to their health and development.

"Long may it continue."

Postal entries can be submitted to the Sports Development Office, MYG Souvenir Programme Competition, National Sports Centre, Groves Road, Douglas, IM2 1RB.

Electronic jpegs or PDFs can be emailed to enquiries@msr.dtl.gov.im. Please type MYG Souvenir Programme Competition in the subject box.

The Sports Development Office said it cannot be responsible for any incompatibility or failure to receive any electronic entries.