SPORT is boosting Glasgow's economy by around £400million each year with almost 10,000 people employed in the sector.

A major report commissioned by the city council, Glasgow Life and sportscotland looked at the impact of all types of sporting events on the city.

It found sport is a larger employer and makes a propor-tionately higher contribution to the city's economy compared to the national figure.

Since 1995, the council has spent more than £300m building new and upgrading sports facilities, including the £113m Emirates Arena, the £13.8m upgrade of Tollcross Inter-national Swimming Centre and the £18m improvements to Scotstoun Stadium.

This investment has resulted in Glasgow winning global recognition as one of the top 10 sporting cities in the world.

Between 2012 and 2015, it is hosting five world champion-ships as well as the Commonwealth Games.

The bulk of the £368m generated by sport in 2010 came from the commercial sport sector which includes Celtic, Rangers, Partick Thistle and Glasgow Warriors, as well as clubs with paying membership such as bowling, golf and tennis clubs.

Commercial sport was also the largest employer in the sports economy in Glasgow with nearly 8000 people on the workforce.

City council leader Gordon Matheson said: "Glasgow is one of the leading sporting cities on the world stage, regularly playing host to some of the world's top sporting events.

"This has not happened by chance and is thanks to our continued investment in world-class facilities, such as the Emirates Arena and Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

"The construction of these facilities has allowed us to attract some of the best events in world sport to Glasgow.

"And that has helped to create and sustain employment opportunities in the sporting sector.

"At the same time these facilities are also being used by local people on a daily basis, with attendances reaching record levels.

"Our commitment to sport will see us build on that in future years.

"The people of Glasgow are also continuing to show their love of sport by ensuring the city's major events programme hosts sell-out event after sell-out event.

"Through sport we are investing in Glasgow's future."

Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, said: "This research reveals the economic importance sport has in Glasgow

"It also highlights the significant health and community benefits of participating in sport and being more physically active.

"Scotland is now a regular destination for world-class sports events and as it prepares for the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow's facilities are first-rate.

"By using Glasgow 2014 as a vehicle to accelerate the implementation of a world-class sporting system at every level and having 150 community sport hubs in place right across Scotland by 2016, we are ensuring that all the people of Scotland are benefiting from hosting next year's Commonwealth Games."

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk