Growing Interest in Our Games
The NatWest Island Games in the Isle of Wight next year will probably be the largest since the first Games held in the Isle of Man in 1985. The exact number of sportspeople coming to this beautiful island off the south coast of England will be clearer at the end of December; although it is already a fact that the NatWest Island Games XIV will be the largest multi-sport event in Great Britain only one year before the London Olympics 2012. Many curious eyes will be watching the organisation in the Isle of Wight and the interest will probably be higher than ever before.
Hand in hand with the growing interest from our Member Islands we will also experience a growing interest from both island and mainland media. This is good news! NatWest Island Games is a great example of competition at its best. We call ourselves 'The Friendly Games', but not because we do not want to compete! We all know that the best way to beat our opponents is by improving ourselves. That way we all improve. When the competition is over however, the focus will be on making friends with our fellow islanders. The International Island Games Association brings sportspeople together for the benefit of improvement in sport, we also bring people together to improve our understanding between our different cultures.
We bring islands together - because we love it!
Jorgen Pettersson
IIGA Chairman
