The news arrived Saturday afternoon that there’ll be no Island Games in 2021.
It hurt to hear those words spoken by our much loved International Island Games Association (IIGA) chairman Jorgen Pettersson.
So many people will have been looking forward to the biannual meeting between the islands, this time in Guernsey. The committee on Guernsey have been hard at work planning everything to the final detail to make it such a special and memorable Games while member islands were getting together the travel and accommodation for their stay while also preparing their athletes and finalising their teams.
We had begun to think about what we were going to do next summer but held off on booking anything until after this decision was to be made. Which we’re very glad we did.
Jorgen was clear to point out though that the Guernsey Island Games have NOT been cancelled which will come as some relief to the people of Guernsey. Now the IIGA committee will need to discuss how to juggle things round to fit the re-organised Games into the calendar. Having started our Island Games journey in Jersey in 2015 we really want to see what Guernsey can do as hosts so are glad they’ll still get their moment to shine.
It is a real shame there will be no Island Games next year and we are disappointed our biannual meet up with friends from Ynys Mon and across the globe won’t now be happening in 2021 but we completely understand the decision. The IIGA committee had such a difficult decision to make but we think it’s the right one. We want to be able to have a full Island Games where all member Islands can safely take part while also the people of Guernsey can appreciate and enjoy the week. Next summer might be fine, who knows? But it would be unfair for Guernsey and other member islands to pay out huge amounts of money in the coming months for then the Games to be cancelled only a couple of months beforehand.
One of the benefits of delaying the Games will be that it will give younger competitors another year to improve and gain experience at competing before heading to compete at, possibly, the biggest stage of their sporting careers. Good luck to them!
It’s not all bad news though as it has been confirmed by the IIGA committee that Ynys Môn have been awarded the hosting duties of the Island Games after Orkney.
This is brilliant news and we are over the moon. For the first time member islands will convene on Anglesey for the Island Games and we can’t wait!
A huge congratulations to the bid committee and especially to the chair of that committee Gareth Parry who have worked tirelessly to bring the Games to Ynys Môn. There is so much work in creating a bid that will be successful and now there will be even more work to make that plan a reality but we have full faith in the team. They’re passionate beyond belief and desperate to showcase Anglesey to everyone.
Stay safe everyone, we’ll see you all soon!
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