Our Games has made a difference!
Thu, 02 Jun 2011
With less than four weeks to go before we all meet again for the NatWest Island Games in the Isle of Wight the expectations are high. We are, it seems, looking forward to the largest NatWest Island Games with approximately 3,500 athletes taking part! This is a fact that nobody could have dreamed of in 1985 in the Isle of Man when it all began. The Inter-Island Games, as the event was called then, was the first step on a long journey. Many things have changed since the first Games, amongst them the IIGA Constitution, Guidelines and Sports By-laws. These were produced and have been amended many times to assist in the smooth running of the Games over the years. But the foundation always remains the same, "to foster and encourage friendship through sporting activities between Island Communities and to provide opportunities for sportmens and sportswomen to participate in international sport."
By staying true to this ideal we ensure that there will be progress and development within our islands sports. History has proven this strategy to be the right one. Over the years results and standards have improved. Thanks to the International Island Games our islands today invest more in sport and their youngsters than ever before and this in turn brings content to our island lives. And hopefully helps our island communities to develop in many areas other than sport. The IIGA is not the Commonwealth Games. We are certanly not the Olympics. BUT we are unique and our wish is to continue along this road for the benefit of all our sports and islanders.
See you all soon!
Jorgen Pettersson
IIGA Chairman
