The Commonwealth Games is taking place in Britain’s second-largest city, but so far, as the public outside the environs of the place they call Brum are concerned, few seem to be aware of it?

It is the biggest international sportsfest to be held in the United Kingdom since the London 2012 Olympics .

Yet ask most Londoners what they know about the Birmingham event and they’d probably enquire whether you meant Birmingham, Alabama rather than the metropolis some 117 miles north up the M6 and reached via the tarmac maze known as Spaghetti junction.

Even in Birmingham itself, with the Games less than 100 days away, there is a distinct absence of razzmatazz, buntings, posters or window displays publicising the Games.

This is a shame because I know from attending quite a few Commonwealth Games in various cities around the world that they can be an enjoyable celebration of athleticism among smaller nations in the absence of sporting superpowers like the United States, Russia and China.

England, Australia and Canada tend to dominate but medals are far more evenly distributed among sport’s lesser mortals than in the Olympics. 

Moreover, they are and always have been since their inception in 1930, The Friendly Games.

However, it is true that they have become something of an anachronism, perhaps rather like the Commonwealth itself, somewhat dissipated from the old Empire Games, and with more countries such as Barbados, Jamaica and Australia nodding towards republicanism.

And in terms of global sports jamborees, they might be considered simply as a pleasant diversion.

So you would’ve thought Birmingham would be buzzing with anticipation for the opening of the Games on July 28.

A London newspaper had suggested that in the present political climate, links to the colonial past have damaged popular interest in the event and that rather than the Friendly Games, these may be labelled as the forgotten games.

Actually, the popular prints, local and national, have given them scant and mainly negative coverage compared to the Olympics.

While there are dozens of flagpoles in the city centre, there are no flags of competing nations. 

Organisers argue that the lack of promotion is temporary and will begin with a bang fairly soon perhaps when the weather gets warmer.

Birmingham Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo, who once branded them The Plantation Games told the Daily Mail: "There’s nothing at the Alexandra Stadium (the principal arena for the Opening Ceremony and track and field) to tell you what’s going on. 

"There is no bunting. 

"It is complete disregard. 

"I want a good Games but they (the organisers) are not listening to the local people.

"They have their management committees but where is the local involvement? 

"This is an opportunity to build a new relationship with the Commonwealth, especially after Brexit, but it is being wasted."

However, Birmingham 2022 chief executive Ian Reid remains convinced it will be alright on the night and all is on track. 

Back in December, he told insidethegames that two thirds of the 5 million tickets available had been sold.

"We are in a great place," Reid said. 

"This summer is set to be a magnificent summer of sport."

Birmingham, which once made an unsuccessful bid for the Olympic Games, is certainly equipped for the event which this time will see the debut of e-sports on the programme and women getting the biggest share of the medals.

Yet, there are increasing murmurs of discontent. 

It has been pointed out that homosexuality is against the law in 35 of the 54 member counties. 

And when the Organising Committee was first formed, there was not a single executive from the ethnic communities despite Birmingham being the most ethnically diverse city in the UK.

Just two weeks ago, the organisers were accused of not doing enough with the local ethnic communities.

The good news is that a good friend and Birmingham-born Professor Geoff Thompson, five-time world karate champion and the UK's best-known and most outspoken black sports administrator (he is the founder and executive chair of the Youth Charter) has been brought in as deputy chair of the Organising Committee. 

Alongside him is former England netball captain and Olympic medallist Ama Agbeze.

Both are accomplished go-getters who will bang the drum for Brum.

Loud and clear.

Time we all started listening.