The reception given by Brighton and Hove City Council last week in honour of Sussex County Cricket Club winning the county championship was, I am afraid, symptomatic of the profile sport is given in this city.

The choice of location, in the museum and art gallery, was poor and the crisps, nuts and wine on offer were not exactly befitting of the players' efforts.

It has taken more than 100 years for Sussex to win this trophy and I don't think the council has fully grasped the magnitude of this remarkable achievement.

With Sussex's triumph and the Herculean efforts of the England rugby team in lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy in the Australians' backyard, this is surely the ideal opportunity to promote sport.

The children in our schools are enthused - they want to be like their heroes, Jonny Wilkinson and Chris Adams - and we must take advantage of this rare opportunity.

Many of the sporting facilities in this city are, frankly, a disgrace and reflect years of neglect by the council.

Many sports clubs still have changing rooms that were built more than 30 years ago, which doesn't encourage people to come and use them.

The council should set up a special committee to halt the decline of sport in the city.

The council has recently set up an arts commission to promote the benefits of art and culture so there is no reason why a similar sports body could not be established.

The power of sport to do good for children and for the city as a whole should never be underestimated. Youth crime and anti-social behaviour would drop dramatically as children would have a legitimate outlet for their aggression and competitive spirit.

The impeccable behaviour of the England rugby team and the Sussex cricket team - on and off the field - should be held up by schools and sports clubs as a model of the way youngsters should conduct themselves.

The benefits of a comprehensive sports strategy would be enormous.

-Councillor Peter Willows, Brighton and Hove City Council