In brief: Jersey is well placed to host the 2035 Island Games, according to the head of the Jersey Island Games Association. The island has previously hosted the event twice, in 1995 and 2015, and 2035 would mark the competition’s 50th anniversary.
Third Time Lucky?
Jersey first floated the idea of hosting the Island Games for a third time two years ago, and the man at the helm of the local association believes the island is ready to make it happen. Steve Jacobs, head of the Jersey Island Games Association, told BBC Radio Jersey that he is confident Jersey can deliver: “We’re in a place, I think, where we can actually put on the Games.”
Jacobs pointed to improving accommodation capacity as a key factor. “We’ve got a lot more hotels investing over here, which is always the issue with accommodation, so I think it would be good,” he said. That is no small consideration. The Island Games has grown from around 700 participants at its founding to roughly 3,000 people expected at the next edition in the Faroe Islands next July, where 24 islands will compete across 14 sports. Finding enough beds for that many visitors has historically been one of the biggest headaches for host islands.
A Growing Event With Growing Costs
The Island Games was set up to give small islands the chance to compete against one another, and in that spirit it has been a considerable success. What began as a modest gathering has expanded into a serious multi-sport event, and that growth has brought with it the inevitable challenges of accommodation and cost.
The BBC reports that Jersey’s government has already committed a grant of £150,000 to help fund athletes’ travel to the Faroe Islands next summer. It is a meaningful investment in the island’s sporting community, and one that reflects the importance placed on participation at the highest levels of the Games.
Jacobs confirmed that formal discussions with the international organising committee are planned for next year. “We’ll be starting to talk to the international organising committee next year to get the information to them to make sure that we can actually host the games, because it is getting more and more difficult,” he said.
What the Games Mean to Jersey
For those who remember the 2015 Games, the prospect of hosting again will bring back fond memories. Jacobs was effusive about the atmosphere the event generates. “It showcases all of the sporting community, and the last games they got really involved in as well,” he said, recalling that some athletes even chose to stay in hotels during the event simply to soak up the atmosphere rather than commuting home each evening. “It was a brilliant time and everyone loved it and I’m sure everyone would like it back again.”
The 2035 edition carries extra significance as it would mark the 50th anniversary of the Island Games, making it a particularly prestigious occasion for whichever island wins the right to host.
Source: BBC News
