JORGEN Pettersson, the head of the International Island Games Association, says the bidding process to host the games should end.
He wants islands wishing to host the bi-ennial multi-sports event to negotiate rather than canvas for votes among other members, like the bidding process for an Olympic Games.
In an interview with BBC Guernsey, he said it can create am atmosphere that’s not good for the cause and for the family within the Island Games.
Jersey, who previously hosted the Games in 1997, won the right to host the 2015 event by a solitary vote from Gotland in 2010. But Pettersson wants a change in the event’s constitution to be ratified at this summer’s annual congress in Bermuda.
‘Gotland were very close to Jersey two years ago in a dramatic vote,’ said Pettersson. ‘That was the point when the member islands realised that we perhaps don’t want to go down this path.’
If the plans are approved then it is likely that Gotland (hosts in 1999) will host the 2017 Games with the Faroe Islands hoping to host in 2019 (30 years on from their last time) and Menorca expressing an interest in hosting the 2021 event.
‘When we’ve had the competition between different islands a lot of money has gone into the competition of the bid and we’ve always felt that it’s better to put that money into sport rather than a campaign.’
Petterson says there is no rush to find a 25th member island for the association. Prince Edward Island pulled out after suffering funding problems ahead of last year’s event in the Isle of Wight.
‘Quite a few islands are interested, including some from Greece, the Caribbean and Scotland. We’re in no rush to do this because we are struggling with the size of the Games at present.’