Croydon’s gangsters should be persuaded to do sport instead of crime according to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson visited the Sir Phillip Game Centre in Morland Avenue, Croydon, to unveil his plans for the future of sport in the capital.

He said: “I believe sport is useful for development, in the sense of gangs.

"I want to mimic the good qualities of gangs but not the criminal activity.

“Not all gangs are engaged in criminal activity, some groups of friends come together out of friendship and companionship.”

Mobile swimming pools, boxing academies, street athletics in every borough and competitive sport for profoundly disabled children are all key elements of the Mayor's vision to create a fitter, healthier, more active London, a spokesman said yesterday.

A Sporting Future for London, which was unveiled by the Mayor and his Sports Commissioner, Kate Hoey will see a total of over £30 million invested into grass-roots sport in London by 2012.

More than one fifth of children are classified as obese in the capital, with 50 per cent of Londoners defined as inactive.

NHS London estimates that this inactivity costs £105 million per year.

A Sporting Future for London aims to significantly boost participation by Londoners of all ages in grassroots sports.

The Mayor announced the setting up of a new strategic forum, the London Community Sports Board.

The Board, chaired by Kate Hoey, will monitor progress on the implementation of the Plan and advise the Mayor on sporting priorities for London.

The Mayor said: “We have a unique opportunity with the 2012 Games to set in place a lasting legacy for sport provision across the capital.

"The success of the Olympics must not be judged on regeneration benefits in the east of London alone.

"This is a once in a lifetime chance to increase sport participation and activity, tackle social and health inequalities and bring the capital’s communities together under the same vision.

"Under Kate’s watchful eye, this plan will set in motion the tools needed to build on the many exciting projects and partnerships that are already in place in London, as well as providing new solutions."

Ms Hoey said: “The Mayor's commitment is a very significant stepping stone in the creation of a truly lasting and impactful sporting legacy for London.

"The Mayor and I are confident that, through this plan, the will and tools for success are now in place and we are on track for London being the first host city to see a sustained increase in participation as a result of hosting the 2012 Games.

"Today we are putting down the marker and I am confident that when the flame is extinguished in the Olympic Stadium in 2012 every Londoner will feel that they have gained something worthwhile.”

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