London, June 18 (IANS) The northern Welsh town of Bala, with a population of about 2,000 inhabitants, has temporarily changed its name to Bale in honour of the football star.
Bala, located in North Wales, 228 kilometres (141.6 miles) from Cardiff, will keep its new name as long as Wales stay in the ongoing Euro championship in France, Efe reported on Friday.
"It's a great way to honour Gareth Bale and get behind the Welsh squad for Euro 2016. 100 per cent behind the move," said Dilwyn Morgan, the town councillor.
"Gareth Bale is an international sporting star and this move should put Bala, sorry, Bale, on the international map," Morgan added.
Bale, 26, plays for Real Madrid, where he moved from Tottenham Hotspur on a world record transfer fee of 100.8 million euros (approximately $113.6 million) in 2013.
Wales are in second place in Group B at Euro 2016 in France, after winning their first match against Slovakia 2-1 and falling on Thursday to England 1-2.
