Bermuda to bid again

BERMUDA is determined to host a NatWest Island Games. Having narrowly lost to the Isle of Wight 30-25 in the vote to stage the 2011 Games, the island has declared its intention to bid for the event two years later.

Delegates from Prince Edward Island also confirmed at the International Island Games Association annual meeting in Rhodes their wish to bid for the right to host the 2013 Games.

Should both bids come into fruition and no others be forthcoming, it will be the first two Games to be held in the Americas.

At the same meeting, the membership decided that the number of islands should not be increased from the present 25.

Meanwhile, a clock counting down to the opening of the 2007 Games in Rhodes has been unveiled at the island's town hall.

The ceremony was performed by the mayor of Rhodes, George Giannopoulos, and the chairman of the Island Games Association, Brian Partington.

'We have been very impressed with the attention to detail demonstrated by the organising committee in Rhodes, not only with regard to our visit this week but with the arrangements for next year's event,' said Mr Partington.

'All delegates received a comprehensive booklet which included information needed by both team managers and competitors.

'The executive committee of the IGA are confident that all facilities will be in place by the time of the Games and that participants will enjoy superb competition.'