Canterbury-Bankstown approached to host the 2025 Australian Sikh Games

A southwest Sydney council could inject more than $83m into the state economy after being approached to host a premier sporting event. See what’s coming to Bankstown here.

The Australian Sikh Games are an annual sporting event held around Australia. Picture: Facebook.

A southwest Sydney council could inject more than $83m into the state economy after being approached to host a premier sporting event.

Tens of thousands of athletes from across the globe could gather in Canterbury-Bankstown after the council was approached by the organisers of the Australian Sikh Game to host the 2025 event.

Canterbury-Bankstown mayor Bilal El-Hayek said the event will be a “significant coup for our city” and will bring “international recognition and huge economic benefits.”

“Our local businesses and accommodation facilities can expect a spending bonanza during this period,” he said.

“In fact, the most recent games which were held on the Gold Coast delivered an estimated $83m to the state’s economy.”

The 2018 Australian Sikh Games were held in Sydney. Picture: Facebook.

The Australian Sikh Games is a premier sporting and cultural event for the Sikh community

and are held every year in capital cities and regional centres around the country.

The annual event attracts more than 3,500 athletes who compete in 14 different sports including soccer, badminton, AFL, golf, boxing and tennis.

Athletes and spectators form across Australia and countries including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Canada and Malaysia will gather in Adelaide for the 2024 games.

Mr El-Hayek said it would be a “privilege” to host the games and would showcase “our culture, our vibrancy and the diversity that exists here.”

Canterbury-Bankstown mayor Bilal El-Hayek has thrown his support behind the Sikh games. Picture: Robert Pozo.

“We have a thriving Sikh community living in our city, and we must do all we can to ensure we secure the Australian Sikh Games in 2025,” he said.

Mr El-Hayek will propose in his mayoral minute at tonight’s meeting for council to work with the organisers as they look to secure parks and international facilities like the Dunc Gray Velodrome and The Crest Sporting Complex.

“I anticipate the council will recover its costs for the hire, cleaning, and associated matters,” he said.

He will also propose council to house a $7,000 civic reception for the organisers to “mark this exciting event” and to show “our appreciation for bringing the games to our city”.