© International Island Games Association
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 March 2005 Meeting of the Executive Committee in the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides) 13-14 March 2005-03-15 The traditional spring meeting of the IGA Executive Committee has taken place in Western Isles, the newest and 24th member island. IGA chairman Bo Frykenstam is grateful for the hospitality shown by the people of Western Isles. ”I am glad they have joined the games family and I am looking forward to see them compete for the first time ever under their own flag at the NatWest Island Games XI in Shetland 2005”, Bo Frykenstam says. The meeting was briefed on the development of the Natwest Island Games XI that will be opened in Shetland on the 9th of July. Approx. 2,500 sportspeople will then take part in the competition which will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in Scotland. ”I am confident in the organisation of the NatWest Island Games in Shetland and I am looking forward to the competition”, Bo Frykenstam says. At the meeting in Western Isles the IGA Executive
discussed whether Aland or Ynys Môn should be recommended
to host the NatWest Island Games in 2009. The final decision
will however be made at
the AGM in Shetland in July. ”Åland has a clear advantage with excellent sporting facilities should the Games be held today. Several venues in Ynys Môn need refurbishment and in the case of swimming and athletics considerable investment needs to be undertaken. This has also been the case at previous Games where considerable investment has been required. We would clearly like these shortcomings to be addressed immediately.” According to the Memorandum of Association of the International Island Games Association the member island shall, when hosting the Games:
Having this in mind the Executive Committee believe that the objectives of the Association would be best met if the Games of 2009 were to be hosted by Ynys Môn. Although the importance for Åland is clear we believe it would provide a real regeneration of Ynys Môn in sporting and social ways. Ynys Môn is far less developed when it comes to sports than Åland and would therefore gain a greater legacy from the event.” ”Both islands gave assurances of political support. However we were extremely impressed by the Ynys Môn general public support”, Bo Frykenstam comments. The IGA Executive further gave a recommendation that the IGA family should adopt its 25th member island and taking in the Spanish island Menorca which will bring in a new culture and add diversity to the growing family. Under the current constitution there can be no new member islands after that. 25 islands is the limit. Further information:
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