Christmas Message from the Chairman
Fri, 21 Dec 2018
Jorgen Pettersson, Chairman of the IIGA
Dear Island Friends,
Merry Christmas from the Executive Committee (EC) of the International Island Games Association (IIGA). Best Wishes for a calm and relaxed Christmas-holiday when there is time to reflect on what has been and look forward to what is to come.
It was great to be in Gibraltar in the summer and to learn of the progress being made by the Organising Committee and see the investments that the Government are making in new facilities for next year’s Games – the 18th time we celebrate sport and friendship, together. The 2019 NatWest International Island Games in Gibraltar is the result of the efforts of many. Linda Alvarez, Reagan Lima and many more are to be congratulated for the work that the Gibraltarians have put in to the project so far.
Likewise I want to thank all of our Member Islands and Sports Technical Committees who are making plans and preparations for the Games; without all of your efforts this great event could not happen. The success of our Games is depending on our joint efforts were we all are equally important. Sport involves competition, friendship and cooperation forming a trinity that unite islands from all over the world.
Your Executive Committee will meet next in Guernsey in March 2019 when we will be seeing the plans being made for the 2021 NatWest International Island Games and focusing on the future which is looking extremely positive. We have many islands lining up in order to become a Host Island in the future. So far we have confirmed Gibraltar (2019), Guernsey (2021) and Orkney (2023). Lining up after that we have interest from Ynys Mon, Isle of Man, Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands and probably more. The EC will meet each and everyone one of our future hosts in Gibraltar during the Games in order to understand the full scale of the interest, including the financial and political support each island has in place.
For the moment we are however looking forward to a great Christmas and a prosperous and friendly new year.
All the best,
Jorgen Pettersson
Chairman
