EXPERTS have called for sports facilities to be free of charge around the Commonwealth Games amid concerns 2014 risks bypassing tens of thousands of young people from deprived communities in and around Glasgow.

Sports development specialists, youth workers and politicians claim games organisers are overly focusing on middle-class young achievers at the expense of grassroots engagement.

In the face of a hike in entrance fees to Glasgow's municipal sports facilities of 5% between now and the games, as well as a rise in the cost of the hire of community facilities to save millions, the city is now facing calls to boost access to activities by waiving charges for the next two years.

Politicians from across the political divide have told of a growing frustration that 2014 has yet to connect with many areas of Glasgow, particularly in the north and east end.

The trust charged with increasing sport participation in Glasgow disputes the claims, pointing to a recent rise in the use of facilities and a surge in membership of grassroots sports clubs.

Glasgow Life has dismissed the free entry call as unrealistic and was not a guarantee to boost participation levels. Since Glasgow secured the Games in 2007 the cost of a swim has risen by 85p, a fitness class by 80p, a gym session by 50p and an 11-a-side pitch by £6.

But during the same time, Glasgow Life claims sports facilities visits have increased from just over four million to slightly over six million a year, while free swims are provided to under-18s who are members of a discount scheme. The trust said where access is free, it does not have a big impact on the numbers accessing the service.

Geoff Thomson, five-time karate world champion, has advised UK prime ministers on the impact of sport on areas of social deprivation, including Manchester 2002 and London 2012. He is behind the UN-recognised Youth Charter, which promotes social inclusion through sport. He said Britain's medal success at the last Olympics in areas such as indoor cycling, rowing, sailing and equestrianism, pointed to widening class divide.

He added: "Our museums are free at the point of entry and our sports facilities should be too.

"People will talk about cost but the social cost always impacts on other aspects of life from health to opportunities for employment. Opening up the facilities for free should be a 2014 legacy."

A+M Training, a Glasgow-based diversionary youth project run partly by ex-professional footballer Andy McLaren, works with kids on anti-sectarianism, anti-violence and drug and alcohol misuse.

Director Robert McHarg said: "Free access to football parks promised is just tokenism. Libraries and museums are free of charge. Why not decent sports facilities?

"How do you encourage a kid to go and use the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome if they're paying substantial amounts of money to use it?"

Graeme Hendry, leader of the SNP on the city council, said he was aware of concern from grassroots organisations. He added: "But there is time left to resolve this. An important first step is access to facilities and the increase in prices whilst closing many school facilities to the public is undermining engagement."

A spokesman for Glasgow Life, said: "The number of children and young people involved in sports clubs has doubled in recent years - and more widely, sports attendances are at record levels.

"Glasgow led the way with free swimming for children and seniors - and we've introduced free golf and five-a-side sessions. Cost is not a barrier to participation and, as the figures show, when we provide a quality service, in world-class facilities with experienced and passionate coaches, more people take part."

Glasgow 2014 said the issue was one for its partners.