2021 Island Games Postponed To 2023
The Island Games — which were originally scheduled to be held in July 2021 — will be held in the summer of 2023, the organisers announced.
The Games are for smaller islands and Bermuda takes part and normally does very well, winning multiple medals.
The IIGA said, “Following the announcement in September that the Guernsey 2021 NatWest International Island Games would be postponed, the International Island Games Association [IIGA] have announced that Guernsey will now host the Games in the summer of 2023 followed by Orkney in 2025 and Ynys Mon in 2027 and the Isle of Man will become the preferred host for 2029.
Statement from Jorgen Pettersson, Chair of the IIGA
“This decision has been reached after an extensive consultation with all of the Member Islands, as well as with the Organising Committees for Guernsey, Orkney and Ynys Mon.
Chair of the IIGA Jorgen Pettersson said the has not been an easy decision, explaining: “Although the outcome of the consultation supported 2023, we have tried hard to find solutions in order to do what we are meant to be doing – develop sports within our islands.
“It is fair to say that we all feel disappointment to not be able to meet and compete until 2023. Sports and friendship have created legacies, memories, passion and ambitions in all our Member Islands. We will meet in Guernsey and we will make sure we continue to develop sport in our islands”.
The chair of the Guernsey 2021 Organising Committee, Dame Mary Perkins said, “This is far more than just a sporting event. It brings together Islands in a moment of celebration. Although we were well advanced with our planning, we fully support the decision from the IIGA and firmly believe that the Guernsey 2023 NatWest International Island Games will be an event like no other.
“We will use this time to work as hard as we can to put on the best event possible and give Guernsey and the other Member Islands something to look forward to and we now have to liaise with everyone involved to get the final date and details.
“ I would like to take this opportunity to thank the States of Guernsey our sponsors, partners, volunteers and sport coordinators who have helped us to navigate throughout these challenging times”.
