The Sports Council for Wales (SCW) is establishing new bilingual drop-in sports centres throughout the country to encourage young people to take part in physical activity, while supporting a national plan to boost the Welsh language.

The four-year scheme being launched in collaboration with Urdd Gobaith Cymru will see almost £140,000 being invested in 32 new drop in centres, 24 new community clubs, school holiday programmes and sports festivals in Cardiff, Ceredigion, Eryri and Rhondda Cynon Taf, with plans to spread the scheme throughout Wales by 2013.

The venture will train and employ 300 Welsh-speaking sports leaders and 60 coaches.

SCW chair Philip Carling said: "We are passionate about sport and our rich heritage and language. It makes sense that we make sport as welcoming as possible to everyone in Wales. That's why we are making sure that there are plenty of opportunities for people to take part in bilingual sports sessions."

Efa Gruffudd Jones, chief executive of Urdd, said: "Urdd Gobaith Cymru has proven that children and young people enjoy taking part in sports in Welsh. One hundred and sixty young leaders were trained last year and they have become natural leaders within their communities."