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The Guernsey Island Games One Year Countdown Is Now On!

Jorgen Pettersson - Chairman of the International Island Games Association

Teams from 23 islands around the world will be in the Bailiwick one year today, to compete in 14 different sports.

This evening, (8 July) representatives from member islands and the International Island Games Association Executive Committee will gather at Government House where Guernsey's governor, Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell, will start the virtual countdown clock.

Another will also begin ticking at Beau Sejour.

Representatives from the 23 member islands are in Guernsey to check out the venues for the different sports. They are also looking at the accommodation options and will hold a number of committee meetings.

International Island Games Association Chairman Jorgen:Pettersson says he's impressed by what he's seen:

"Guernsey has everything that's needed, the enthusiasm is there, the will to make a change is there. Guernsey is the first island that has acted as host for the International Island Games three times now. Guernsey has been one of the most valuable members of our Association."

 

The Secretary of the Shetland Island Games Association Bob Kerr says it's busy:

"The Games is always a really hectic week,  it's really exciting. We want to make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Between now and next year, before we arrive, we are going to do as much research as we can and this is really the start of that process to find out about accommodation options, the on-island transport, sports venues, and all the logistics.

You've hosted the Games twice before in 2003 and 1987, so we know Guernsey's very organised and we've no concerns at all about the ability to host the Games; the sports venues are fantastic.

I guess we want to hear more about the accommodation which we know is going to be a huge challenge for the numbers that are expected to come here for the Games next year."

The last Island Games were held in Gibraltar, and the resident of the Gibraltar Island Games Association is Linda Alvarez:

"I actually participated in 1987 as a badminton player. It was the first games that Gibraltar actually participated in all that time ago so it was really nice and it was interesting to go back and see that same venue.

The difference at the moment is that the Games has got a lot bigger; you've got a lot more participants. I think we are all really concerned about the accommodation. Logistically, can we all get beds and where are those beds going to be?"

2023 will mark 20 years since Guernsey last held the competition back in 2003.

The Covid postponed Nat West Island Games will return to the Bailiwick from 8 to 14 July 2023 and they'll be tagged as "Inspiring Islanders."

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