Grab the Games with both hands
FEW who took part either as a competitor, organiser, volunteer or spectator will forget the glorious week of sport that was the tenth Island Games. Thirteen years ago Guernsey saw for itself what a huge event the Games had become since its humble beginnings in 1985. Instead of 600 competitors from 15 islands competing in just seven sports, Guernsey 2003 played host to more than 2,000 competitors from 23 islands in twice as many disciplines.
From the sun-drenched opening ceremony at St Peter Port harbour to the glory of topping the medal table at the end of the week it was a compendium of many of the island's finest moments.
And the scale of the event meant that it was not just a sporting festival. Guernsey was on display to thousands of athletes and coaches with their attendant international media and made sure that it raised the bar on what 'the Friendly Games' should mean.
In five years' time the island is lucky enough to have an early chance to experience it all again. Problems with the Faroes Islands' bid have allowed Guernsey to accelerate its third hosting of the Games and bring it forward six years.
It is a great opportunity and one that the island should grab with both hands.
To do so, as the outgoing Culture and Leisure Department acknowledges, it is of paramount importance that the whole of the island is fully supportive.
Tomorrow, deputies get the first opportunity to start that process by giving the event their wholehearted backing.
The £750,000 cost may seem a lot given the financial austere times but that is only really to act as a guarantor. The actual costs will be met largely from lottery money, including a one-off scratch card through which islanders can put in a few pounds.
The payback will be huge, both in financial terms of boosting hotels, restaurants, taxis and tourism but in cultural terms of giving the island that sense of community pride which was so palpable in the 2003 NatWest Island Games.
It will require an enormous amount of planning and hard work but the feelgood factor of providing a fine stage for top-class sport will make it all worthwhile.
