IGA upbeat after Xth AGM
8th July 2002

THE International Island Games Association (IGA), the governing body of the NatWest Island Games, was upbeat after its tenth annual general meeting (AGM).

Delegates from 21 of the 23 member islands met in Guernsey to check progress for next year’s Games and to discuss a full agenda of subjects affecting the long-term future of the competition.

Chairman Bo Frykenstam said he was impressed with the facilities he had seen and gave a vote of confidence in the Organising Committee’s ability to host a successful games in 2003.

For the first time, local athletes were asked to contribute to the development of the Games. A group of Guernsey sports people expressed only positive feelings, highlighting the opportunities to develop, particularly for youngsters who can benefit hugely from working alongside more experienced competitors.
Other actions decided at the AGM included:

The Western Isles (Outer Hebrides) were accepted as the 24th member island and would compete in 2005. Two Western Isle delegates presented a report and described how preparation for the application had resulted in driving up the standards of sport and sporting facilities in their islands.

A new sport, squash, would be introduced at Shetland in 2005.

A General Manager, Gary Jakeman, has been appointed to begin the planning and coordination of the Games in Shetland. Mr Jakeman is suitably qualified, having acted as chief administrator for the Isle of Man when it hosted the event.

Rhodes made the initial bid to hold the 2007 Island Games. Bids from other islands would be accepted up to 28th September 2002.

Aland notified the meeting of its intention to bid for the 2009 Island Games.

A medical report had been presented earlier by Dr Peter Ahlvin, medical advisor to the IGA, in which he warned of the dangers of food supplements. Drug bans were well understood Dr Ahlvin explained, but athletes should also avoid using food supplements as they could contain anabolic steroids. Any competitors in doubt should seek nutritional guidance from the IGA medical team.

Summing up, IGA chairman Bo Frykenstam said: ‘We should all feel satisfied as this meeting has been a great success, but we must be clear that our progress is an ongoing process.

‘Delegates have worked hard on behalf of their islands, but the NatWest Island Games is a continuous journey.

‘We at the IGA can set the arena for that journey but the work of delegates goes on.

‘As we move from host island to host island, we continue to learn. It is in fact a journey without end.’

For further information, contact Brian Partington on tel +44 (0) 1624 67 54 30