Northern Ireland’s Uslter Banner could be ditched at 2026 Commonwealth games (Image: Getty)
Northern Ireland athletes could be competing under a different flag after a proposal to change the Ulster Banner is being debated.
Leading Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland (CWGNI) chiefs believe the banner is no longer suitable for use, as it is “found offensive by parts of the community”.
The unofficial flag of Northern Ireland displays the red hand of Ulster, which has been used as a loyalist symbol, placed on top of a St George’s cross with a crown for the monarchy.
NI Commonwealth Games chief Conal Heatley and chairman Stephen Martin are instead pushing for the creation of an entirely new flag to represent the country at the games in Glasgow.
The Ulster Banner was originally designed in 1923, going on to become the official flag of the former Government of Northern Ireland from 1953 until it was abolished in 1973. However, the flag is still widely used to represent athletes in international sports.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games saw athletes proudly wave the Ulster Banner (Image: Getty)
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Controversy surrounds the banner for Catholics and Republicans who wanted Northern Ireland to leave the United Kingdom and unite the republic of Ireland.
CWGNI officials have called upon the Stormont Executive to create a new flag which is in line with their findings of a 2020 report on flags, identity, culture and traditions.
The report states that any future Northern Ireland flag should be designed by elected politicians and should be “representative of the diversity of our society, including our new communities”.
If the Ulster Banner is removed, officials would have only until 2026 to design a new one, which is when the games are held.
The flag is widely used to represent athletes in international sports (Image: Getty)
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According to reports in the Belfast Telegraph, If the NI executive does not establish a new flag in time, the CWGNI said it would submit a white flag with the organisation’s logo on it instead.
Mr Heatley said: “We’ve given people fair warning, we’ve told them this is what we’re going to do,
“We’ve gone out and spoken to groups like the NI Youth Forum, and they don’t recognise the Ulster Banner, it means nothing to them. They would like a flag that everybody can get behind, but something that is inclusive. There hasn’t been any pushback,” he said.