Faroes move is set to be good for volleyball

The popular sport’s long-awaited return is one benefit identified by Guernsey Island Games Association stalwart Jon Marley, who is soon expected to succeed Brian Allen as chairman following his retirement.

The current GIGA Games director said ‘fair play’ to the Faroe Islands for stepping in four years ahead of initial schedule.

‘It means volleyball will not miss out for 12 years,’ Marley said, given that the internationally popular sport last featured in 2017 and would otherwise not appear until Isle of Man 2029.

‘Other sports are going to miss out, but I am thankful they have stepped in to ensure continuity.

‘It’s a lot further north. It’s the furthest north I would have been for a Games.

‘It’s always exciting because you get to visit places that otherwise, on any normal holiday, you would not visit.’

He said that experiencing new venues was good for the athletes.

‘I would never have gone on holiday in the likes of Gotland or Aland but having visited both, they are some of my favourite places.’

However, especially as the Danish archipelago has not hosted since 1989, there will be plenty of suspense over which other sports will feature.

The Games stalwart also lamented Ynys Mon’s decision to withdraw from hosting due to financial reasons.

‘It’s disappointing and we feel great sympathy for Ynys Mon,’ he said.

‘It’s a great undertaking to host a Games. A large part of that is finance.

‘I can totally understand their reasoning and I feel very sorry for them.’

Although the Welsh island’s withdrawal seems to mirror current struggles with the Commonwealth Games, he has reiterated that the IIGA event does not require nearly as much expenditure.

He is hopeful that this will only be a one-off and also that Ynys Mon can host in the future.

‘I don’t necessarily think it’s a trend, but more like a reflection of the current economic climate.

‘Sport in the UK is struggling financially at the moment in terms of investment.’