Councillor Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, has welcomed a decision to base the new headquarters of sportscotland in the East End of Glasgow.

It is to move to the new National Indoor Sports Arena, which is due for completion in 2011 and will be a key venue during the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The Scottish Government has also announced that sportscotland is to merge with the Scottish Institute of Sport (SIS) to create a new national organisation that will ensure a seamless pathway from grassroots to elite performance level. The organisation will retain the name sportscotland.

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Responding to the announcement, Councillor Purcell, said: "It seems that the Scottish Government has recognised the compelling case for bringing sportscotland's headquarters to the East End of Glasgow, and I welcome that.

"The relocation of the headquarters to Glasgow was the obvious choice given the city's outstanding record in sports development and attracting events of the highest quality, such as the Commonwealth Games. I await the details on the number and type of jobs which will be relocated with interest."

The National Indoor Sports Arena, a brand new venue for the community within walking distance of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village, will host badminton during the Games.

Situated next to Celtic Park, where the opening ceremony will take place, and the new National Velodrome, NISA will have room for 5000 spectators. This will create an incredible atmosphere during the Games and a wonderful, sustainable championship venue afterwards.

(GK/JM)