8 March 2003

The Executive Committee of the International Island Games Association(IGA) met in Saaremaa, Estonia 6 – 8 March 2003.

The following were some of the items covered in the IGA agenda:

The future of the Games. The concerns associated with the fast growth of the Games, and the challenge of containment when it comes to sports is a major issue. A report from a sub-committee on the subject was discussed at some length, and the EC agreed on several recommendations to be put forward to the membership at the Annual General Meeting on

1st July in Guernsey.

2003 NatWest Island Games in Guernsey, 28th June to 4th July. The final arrangements are well in hand and chairman Stuart Falla is confident the Games will be a success. So far the number of the participants is 2,810, including competitors and officials in 15 sports. Mr Falla hopes that the Games will provide a lasting memory for everyone on Guernsey: "The Opening ceremony and all the sporting events will be free of charge to all who want to come along and spectate", he says.

2005 NatWest Island Games in Shetland. Arrangements are well underway, and during the Games in Guernsey the organisers from Shetland will report on travel and accommodation arrangements to the Island representatives.

2007 Island Games. There are two bids for the Games in 2007; Rhodes and the Isle of Wight. The decision of which island will have the honour of staging the Games, will be made by 23 Member Islands at this years Annual General Meeting on 1st July 2003 in Guernsey.

2009 Island Games. Two islands have so far officially announced their intentions to bid for the 2009 Island Games; Åland and Saaremaa.

Meeting with Athletes. In order to receive direct feedback, members of the Executive met with Saaremaa athletes.

Besides the actual meeting IGA also met up with senior politicians both in Estonia and in Saaremaa, sportspeople, sponsors and many more. Present at the IGA-meeting were EC-members Bo Frykenstam (chairman), Brian Partington (vice chairman), Eric Legg (treasurer), Jörgen Pettersson, Jaan Lember (members), Geoff Karran (honorary legal advisor) and Stuart Falla (chairman of the Organising Committee for 2003 NatWest Island Games). The IGAsponsor, NatWest offshore was represented byTerry Quayle.  The 2005 NatWest Island Games in Shetland was represented by Gary Jakeman.

”We were impressed by the strong commitment to the IGA, and the support for the bid to host the Games in 2009, from politicians, businessmen, sponsors, sportspeople and the community” says IGA-chairman Bo Frykenstam.

For more information, please contact Bo Frykenstam, tel: + 46 498 58190 or Brian Partington, tel: + 44 1624 844173