WALES football legend Joe Ledley has hailed Craig Bellamy as the ideal choice to lead the national team, claiming the former striker has shed his “argumentative” streak to become a mature, focused manager. Bellamy, who takes charge of Wales for the first time tonight in a UEFA Nations League clash against Turkey, has impressed his former teammate with a newfound calmness and vision for the squad.

Ledley, now an ambassador for the Football Association of Wales (FAW), expressed his excitement at seeing Bellamy bring a high-energy, pressing style of football to the national team. Speaking on the Let Me Be Frank podcast with former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie, Ledley praised Bellamy’s transformation from his volatile playing days to a composed leader.

“As a player, Craig would argue with anyone—he didn’t care who it was,” Ledley remarked. “But he’s matured, especially after working under Vincent Kompany. He’s learned how to communicate with players and understands the way modern football has evolved. I met him shortly after he got the job, and the brand of football he wants to bring, with everyone pressing high up the pitch, is really exciting.”

Bellamy’s tenure begins tonight in Cardiff, with Wales hosting Turkey before travelling to face Montenegro in three days. His appointment comes at a time of transition for the national team, following the retirement of key players such as Gareth Bale, Ashley Williams, and Joe Allen. Ledley, who played alongside Bellamy for both club and country, believes his former teammate’s passion and commitment will inspire the next generation of Welsh talent.

Asked about the most patriotic Welshman he has ever played alongside, Ledley did not hesitate: “It’s got to be Bellars. He was always there, even for friendlies when others might pull out. He was proud to captain his country and never shied away from representing Wales. Wherever he played, he gave his all and really bought into the team.”

Looking ahead to Wales’ future, Ledley acknowledged the challenges of replacing icons like Bale, who was pivotal in the team’s recent successes. However, he remains optimistic about the young players coming through, including Brennan Johnson, Dan James, and Neco Williams.

“It’s a big transition for us, especially after the golden era we’ve had, qualifying for three major tournaments. But with Bellamy at the helm and some great young talent, there are positive signs. Of course, it’s harder without someone like Gareth Bale, who was a once-in-a-lifetime player. But we’ve got the makings of something promising.”

In a lighter moment during the podcast, Ledley was asked to compare the atmosphere at Celtic Park, where he once played, to the intensity of a packed Cardiff City Stadium. Laughing, he admitted it was a tough choice.

“You’re killing me here!” Ledley said. “Celtic Park with 60,000 fans is something else, but the passion of the Welsh fans at Cardiff is unmatched. When the music cuts and the fans start singing, it’s a special feeling. I’ve got to say Wales, but both are incredible.”

With Bellamy at the helm and a new era of Welsh football set to begin, there is growing anticipation for what the future holds. Fans will be hoping that the same determination and fire Bellamy brought to the pitch as a player will translate into managerial success.

WELSH Paralympians have delivered their most successful performance in two decades at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, bringing home a remarkable total of 16 medals. This marks their best tally since the Athens 2004 Games, where Welsh athletes secured 22 medals.

Out of the 22 Welsh athletes who travelled to Paris as part of the Great Britain team, 14 returned with medals across 10 sports, contributing to the wider ParalympicsGB success of 124 medals, including 49 golds. The Welsh contingent’s impressive haul comprised seven golds, five silvers, and four bronzes.

This is also Wales’ finest showing since the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, where they won 10 golds in a 14-medal total. Among the standout athletes in Paris was 17-year-old Rhys Darbey, the youngest Welsh competitor, who secured a gold in the mixed S14 4x100m freestyle relay and a silver in the SM14 200m individual medley. At the other end of the age spectrum, 40-year-old Rob Davies added a silver in men’s singles table tennis.

The Welsh gold rush

Wales’ triumphs began early, with five athletes capturing gold within the first 24 hours of competition. Matt Bush etched his name in the history books by becoming the first British male to win gold in Para-taekwondo, a victory made even sweeter after injury had denied him a place at both Rio and Tokyo. The 35-year-old’s triumph was followed by Ben Pritchard’s emphatic win in the PR1 men’s single sculls, where the Welsh rower comfortably beat reigning champion Roman Polianskyi of Ukraine by more than 10 seconds.

In cycling, James Ball, guided by fellow Welshman Steffan Lloyd, claimed gold in the men’s B 1000m time trial, avenging his second-place finish to Neil Fachie in Tokyo three years prior. Meanwhile, Sabrina Fortune lit up the athletics field with a record-breaking performance in the F20 shot put. Her first-round throw of 15.12m not only secured gold but also set a new world record.

Swimming prodigy Rhys Darbey added another chapter to the Welsh golden weekend, clinching gold in his first Paralympic race as part of the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay team, all of whom were teenagers. He became one of the faces of the Welsh success story in Paris.

Jodie Grinham also made headlines in Para-archery, taking gold in the mixed team compound event alongside Nathan Macqueen, while competing seven months pregnant. Her achievement was a fitting symbol of resilience and determination in Welsh sport.

Carmarthenshire’s golden duo

Following the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Carmarthenshire County Council expressed immense pride in its two Paralympians – para-cyclist Steffan Lloyd and para-taekwondo athlete Matt Bush, both of whom return to Wales as gold medallists.

Matt Bush, from St Clears, returns as Paralympic champion after defeating neutral Paralympic athlete Aliaskhab Ramazanov 5-0 in the men’s K44 +80kg final. His extraordinary achievement was further recognised when he was named the flag bearer for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the closing ceremony.

Steffan Lloyd, educated at Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn, won gold as a pilot for fellow Welshman James Ball in the men’s B 1000m time trial. His partnership with Ball delivered one of the most significant victories of the Games for Welsh cycling.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans, commended their achievements: “Congratulations to Matt and Steffan on their remarkable achievements. Carmarthenshire is beaming with pride due to its two Paralympians, who have both won gold. We are looking forward to officially celebrating their success, along with our Olympians, later this year. Da iawn chi!”

Silver and bronze successes

While Welsh athletes revelled in their gold medals, there were also notable silver and bronze wins. Aled Sion Davies, who went into the Games as the shot put world record holder and favourite, had to settle for silver after what he described as a “massive underperformance.” Georgia Wilson also took silver in Para-equestrian, adding to her bronze in the individual event grade II competition.

Rob Davies, a veteran of Welsh Paralympic sport, captured silver in table tennis, while Phil Pratt led the men’s wheelchair basketball team to a silver finish. Jodie Grinham added a bronze in the women’s individual compound, alongside Paul Karabardak in the men’s doubles Para-table tennis and Hollie Arnold in the F46 javelin.

Disappointment for some

However, not all athletes enjoyed success in Paris. Paralympics boccia champion David Smith, who had hopes of adding to his illustrious career, narrowly missed out on a medal in both individual and team events, citing fatigue as a key factor in his performance. Track athlete Olivia Breen, a gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, also left Paris empty-handed, missing out on the long jump bronze by the narrowest of margins after her second-best jump fell short.

A triumphant conclusion

As the Games came to a close, Matt Bush had the honour of being named Great Britain’s flag bearer for the closing ceremony, alongside swimmer Poppy Maskill. Welsh athletes leave Paris with a remarkable achievement to celebrate – their best Paralympic medal tally in 20 years, contributing to ParalympicsGB’s second-place finish on the medal table, only behind China.

With Paris 2024 now a memory, Welsh Paralympians can look back on a Games that cemented their place as a sporting powerhouse and left an indelible legacy for future generations. The closing ceremony at Stade de France promises to be a fitting finale for an unforgettable 11 days of sport.

AFTER a fantastic summer of sport, nominations are now open for Pembrokeshire’s own celebration of sporting achievement.

The prestigious Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2024 will be held at Folly Farm on Friday November 29^th and nominations for the 13 award categories open today (Monday 9^th September).

The categories recognise the sporting achievements of individuals and teams and the dedication of volunteers and coaches in community sport.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Council Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said the Sport Pembrokeshire judging panel had received record nominations over recent years and hoped that would continue.

“It has been fantastic to see so many nominations across all categories in recent awards. This just shows the sheer number of people involved in and enjoying sport in Pembrokeshire across all ages.

“The Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have always been a chance to celebrate sporting success as well as thanking those, particularly the volunteers, who are essential for grass-roots sport.”

“Please do get your nominations in as soon as possible.”

Thanks go once again to the Awards sponsors, Valero, Pure West Radio and Folly Farm for ensuring that the celebration of Pembrokeshire sport can continue.

• Nominations can be made online: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/forge/index.asp?x=F53021F86D

The award categories are as follows:

• Coach of the Year
• Female Sporting Achievement
• Male Sporting Achievement
• Boys (U16) Sporting Achievement
• Girls (U16) Sporting Achievement
• Disability Sport Award
• Junior (U16) Disability Sport Award
• Unsung Hero
• Club Organiser of the Year
• Team Achievement of the Year
• Junior (U16) Team Achievement of the Year
• Young Volunteer of the Year
• Club of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement

An additional award announced on the night is the Schools Award, which recognises a local school which works extra hard to make sport and physical activity fun, inclusive, and innovative – and forges strong bonds with the local community.