ISLAND GAMESA COUNTDOWN clock will start ticking in Newport tonight (Friday) to officially mark the fact that the Island is just a year away from hosting the 2011 NatWest Island Games.
The clock, which will be positioned at Newport’s Guildhall, will start at 5.15pm tonight after a ceremony led by IW Island Games Association chairman David Ball, and Jorgen Pettersson, chairman of the International Island Games Association (IIGA).
The ceremony is just part of an action-packed weekend for games organisers, who are hosting delegates from almost all of the 25 member Islands which comprise the IIGA, together with the Intern-ational Island Games executive committee.
During their four-day visit to the Island, the delegates will visit the sporting venues and the range of accommodation which will be used during next year’s games.
Among the venues listed are Yaverland Sailing Club (sailing), Ryde Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (tennis), Cowes High School (basketball), and Newclose Cricket Ground (archery).
The group will also pay a visit to the Primary Schools’ Island Games, which take place tomorrow (Saturday) at the Fairway Sports Complex, Sandown, from 9.30am.
Since the IW knew they were hosting the games, they have held this event for hundreds of children who will, for one day only, represent a member island.
Among the islands represented at this year’s competition are Cayman Isles, Bermuda, Gibraltar, Green-land, St. Helena, Western Isles and Menorca.
The teams will do battle over seven different competitions, including athletics, tag rugby, football, basketball and cycling.
Mr Pettersson will make an opening address to the children, before a full opening ceremony. And at the end of the day, he will present the winners’ prizes.
IW Council leader, Cllr David Pugh, said: "This is a great opportunity for the IW to demonstrate the enthusiasm and support we enjoy for sporting events and to promote the Island to an international audience.
"The games also form a very important part of the council’s approach to developing a healthy Island legacy from the hosting of the Island Games in 2011 and I am sure everyone, from children to parents, will have a great time."
After the fun at Sandown, the serious business of deciding who will host the 2015 NatWest Island Games — Jersey or Gotland, will be taken on Sunday when the executive committee meets for its AGM at the Lakeside Park Hotel, Wootton.