Petterson Resigns As Island Games Chair
Andrew Inkster, of the Shetland Islands, will take over as acting chair of the International Island Games Association [IIGA] following the resignation of Jörgen Pettersson, of Aland.
Petterson, who had been the IIGA chair since 2007, said: “I tender my resignation due to my recent election as Speaker of the Parliament of Aland – a tremendous honour, albeit one that brings great challenges and responsibilities.
“This duty will limit my ability to continue serving as chair of the IIGA.”
Pettersson competed in volleyball in the Island Games from the first competition in 1985 in the Isle of Man and continued as a competitor until the 1995 Games in Gibraltar.
“I have served on the Executive Committee for a considerable time, cherishing every moment and every Games,” he said.
“Thanks to the IIGA and together with my colleagues, I have forged friendships across the globe and encountered immense joy as well as learned how to confront unexpected challenges.”
Inkster competed in clay shooting during the 2007 Games in Rhodes and was then elected chair of the Shetland Islands Games Association in 2008.
Inkster joined the Executive Committee in Jersey 2015 and took over as vice-chair at the Games in Guernsey 2023.
Jon Beard, the Bermuda Island Games Association chairman, said he wished Pettersson good luck in his new position as speaker in the Aland Parliament.
“Jorgen was a good friend to the Bermuda Island Games Association,” Beard said.
“He was the president when we held the Games here in 2013.
“He supported our bid and was of great assistance to us throughout the Games and has been since we joined the IIGA in 2001.”
Beard added: “Andrew Inkster is well-known to us and a good friend to all in the BIGA.
“We know he will continue the excellent work of Jorgen along with the committee, which indeed functions like a well-oiled machine!”
Orkney, an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, will host the Games in 2025 from July 12 to 18.
