December 2004

FACT-FINDING TRIP
TO BIDDING ISLANDS

Officials from the International Island Games Association Executive have visited the three islands which have signified their intention of bidding to stage the Games in 2009.

The delegation was led by chairman, Bo Frykenstam, who said the purpose of the visit had been to both assess and assist the Bid Committees from Ynys Mon, Aland and Saaremaa and to give advice on the final submissions. He added: “We were impressed by the preparations of the three islands and also their enthusiasm and commitment in wishing to host the NatWest Island Games.”

Next stage in the procedure is to submit formal bids which have to be received before January 11th 2005. The question of the host for 2009 will be on the agenda for the executive committee meeting in March and its recommendation goes to the membership later that month. July’s annual general meeting in Shetland sees a final presentation from the three bidding islands after which a decision will be taken.

Ynys Mon from Wales and Saaremaa (Estonia) are bidding to stage the event for the first time. The Finnish island of Aland is the only one of the three to have hosted a Games previously - in 1991.