10-year-old British-Malaysian girl behind C'wealth Games 2022 official mascot

PETALING JAYA: The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games official mascot has a Malaysian twist to it as it is designed by 10-year-old British-Malaysian girl Emma Lou.

According to the Games organiser, Emma was chosen from hundreds of designs submitted by children aged five to 15 who entered a UK-wide competition last summer to create a mascot that represents the history, identity and culture of Birmingham and the West Midlands.

“I chose a bull because of the Bullring in Birmingham, and I decided to use hexagons because they are the strongest shape and the whole world depends on each other.

"I am so excited that my design will be seen by so many people!” Emma said in a statement distributed by the Games' organiser on Wednesday (March 24).

With her design chosen, Emma, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, said she felt as if she was in a dream.

"I think the mascot is great, he looks so cute. I am really excited to come to the Commonwealth Games and it will be amazing to see Perry at the opening ceremony," she said.

Perry the bull is adorned with multi-coloured hexagons, symbolising the coming together of the Commonwealth in equal partnership with the diverse communities of Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Perry is named after the Perry Barr area of Birmingham, home of the Alexander Stadium which will host the athletics events of the Games as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.

Emma's parents moved from Malaysia to Britain in 2007.