Local British professional tennis coach, Chris Turner, is delighted that his song 'The Mancunian Way' has been accepted as the signature tune and song to be played throughout the XVII Commonwealth Games this summer. He originally wrote the song in 1986 as part of his final year of music study whilst at University College, Salford, but decided to change the lyrics for the Games. His catchy song, which includes the lyrics, "Do it, Do it - The Mancunian Way" will played during the welcoming ceremonies for the athletes taking part in the Games from 15-24 July in the Athletes Village, in Fallowfield, Manchester.

There will be 72 nations competing in the Games, and Chris has composed 3 different versions, including a dance/reggae version and jazz/R & B mix, to be played 3 times a day throughout this special week. There is also a special version for the local children to join in with, as schoolchildren for the 22 local authorities in and around Greater Manchester take part in the ceremonies. During this time, the Village Mayor will greet the athletes, and present them with a small present, whilst each nation's flag is hoisted up, and their national anthem played.

Sue Woodward, the Creative Director of Manchester 2002, has said,

"We're asking each school to perform their own interpretation of 'The Mancunian Way' to provide variety and colour to the ceremonies. We're sure that the children will have lots of fun being part of these events and they give our visiting teams a really warm welcome".

The XVII Commonwealth Games will be broadcast by the BBC, and are being sponsored by Manchester City Council; Manchester Airport; Cadbury and Asda amongst many others.

Chris, who now lives in Torremolinos, also works as a songwriter and a musician along the Costa del Sol. Chris has worked as an entertainer since his schooldays, as a performer on both the stage and television. He has played in many bands, including some of his own, and has worked as the resident entertainer on cruise liners, such as the QE2, mainly as a piano vocal artiste.

Besides working as a fully licensed professional tennis coach for adults and local schoolchildren from Cartama to Sotogrande, he is currently writing a musical about Tennis called 'Tie-break'. This has already been shortlisted from about 200 musicals for the 'Vivian Ellis Awards For New Musicals, 2000'.