Leicester has been chosen to represent the UK in a European-wide network of sporting cities.

It was given the title of 2008 European City of Sport UK after a two-day inspection of its sporting facilities and programmes by a panel of visiting judges.

The title means the city now ranks as a major European centre for sporting excellence and good practice. It is the first time the UK award has been presented.

Judges from the European Capitals of Sport Association (ACES) visited sites across the city, including sports and leisure centres at Braunstone, Aylestone, Evington and Leicester Leys.

ACES secretary for Europe, John Swanson, said: “We were impressed with the work done to involve ethnic minorities in sports, which is particularly good practice, and schemes such as Calorie Killers which encourage people to take up healthy lifestyles.

“What particularly impressed us was the passion of the staff - it is only through this that policies and strategies can be acted out for the benefit of the community.”

Other key factors in the win included the standard of community sports provision, marketing & promotion of sport, partnership working and the use of community cohesion work to bring diverse communities together through sport.

As part of its term as 2008 European City of Sport UK, Leicester will host a one-day conference in January 2008, at which the title will be formally bestowed.

LeicesterCity Council now hopes the title will help boost its bid to host the Special Olympics in 2009. The corporate director of regeneration and culture, Andy Keeling, said: ”This is a wonderful accolade for the city and is a fantastic recognition of the passion and commitment of all our sports men and women, clubs and volunteers, and the staff in the council’s sports service.”

Leicester City Council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure, Councillor Andy Connelly, added: “I am absolutely delighted that we’ve won this award, and I’d like to thank all the employees and partners who helped ensure that we won it. I think it reflects all the hard work that they put in throughout the year.”