The Island’s Games Association of Jersey decided to support the Finnish group of islands off the coast of Sweden rather than its lone rival Ynys Mon, which was backed by Guernsey.
After a marathon seven-hour International Island Games Association agm in Shetland yesterday chairman Bo Frykenstam, announced that Aland – which last hosted the games in 1991 – had received 33 of the 54 votes from delegates.
Jersey had announced last month that it would be supporting Aland, partly because there was no facility for shooting in Ynys Mon (formerly known as Anglesey), because of the strict UK gun laws, and also because the committee felt too many British islands had hosted the competition in recent years.
The agm delegates also decided: lThe IGA will sign the international Wada-code – meaning doping tests must take effect from the 2007 Games in Rhodes.
lThe Spanish island of Menorca will be the 25th member island – under the current constitution there will be no more islands in the IGA-family.
lThere will be 14 sports on the programme in Rhodes between 30 June and 7 July – including judo for the first time since Gibraltar in 1995.
Meanwhile former Jersey team manager and bowls player, Eileen Vowden, failed to get elected to the executive committee.
However, the decision was not a surprise as there were already a high number of British delegates on the committee.
After the meeting a delighted Aland IGA chairman Robert Mann said: ‘We can offer a games on at least a par with the Guernsey games two years ago, which were fantastic.
We have magnificent facilities and I don’t think anybody will be disappointed with the quality.
The beauty is that everything is already in place,’ he said.
‘We will be able to put on sports that are not traditionally Scandinavian.
There are 18 sports that are possibilities and the only one I don’t think we will put on is squash because we only have one court.’ Mr Frykenstam, who has now retired as chairman and was elected honorary life member, said: ‘I’m sure that it will be a very well organised games – they are very competitive people in charge of their organisation.
They have the experience and don’t have to give so much thought to the sports venues because they are already in place.’ He believes that factor and the standard of accommodation gave them the edge over their rival bidder.
Many of the Ynys Mon delegation made a sharp exit from the Shetland Hotel.
‘It’s disappointing for the whole team who have made such an effort and there are a lot of people who have put in such hard work – but good luck to Aland,’ said David Tommis, chairman of the Ynys Mon IGA.
He was uncertain whether they would bid again next time.
