Statement by North Antrim MLA Jim Allister:

“Today I took the opportunity to question Minister Foster about the funding crisis which surrounds the Milk Cup. Its original application to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board was rejected because it “failed to meet the minimum assessment score required to merit an award” and after their appeal the organisers were informed that, “The panel felt there was not enough information detailed in the application form to merit an award”.

“The Milk Cup has been held annually for the past 28 years yet in the NITB’s “Event Viability and Management Experience” category the Milk Cup scored 29 out of 65. That fact alone is sufficient to demonstrate just how preposterous the Tourist Board’s decision is.

“But it gets better. The Milk Cup scored 10 out of a possible 20 when it came to “Brand Northern Ireland”! Personally I would be hard pressed to think of another event which does more to promote Northern Ireland as a brand. Here is an event which has been held in our Province annually for the best part of three decades. It is a major youth sporting event which generates considerable interest overseas by bringing young sports people to Northern Ireland and major TV stations. Manchester United TV (MUTV) for example covers the tournament on a daily basis and at the end of the week produces a one hour documentary shown on their satellite station which, I understand, is the football club channel with the largest number of subscribers worldwide.

“During questions to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment I pressed Mrs Foster on the issue as she has ministerial responsibility for tourism. It is regrettable that the Minister has not pulled the NITB into line. I will continue to lobby on this issue at Stormont and have tabled an adjournment debate on the matter.”