A RANDOM draw to decide who will compete in the men’s football competition at the 2023 Island Games will take place on Saturday.
Following news that too many teams had entered for the 16-team tournament, Guernsey 2023 sports director Pete Vidamour stressed that a draw be scheduled as soon as possible to best plan for accommodation arrangements in the island.
Nineteen islands have registered, although Guernsey and the Isle of Man will automatically be included as hosts and holders respectively, as per International Island Games Association bylaws.
The 17 remaining islands will be drawn in positions 1-17, with the first 14 obtaining entry.
Any island that withdraws at a later date will be replaced by those drawn 15th or below.
Jersey and Guernsey are the most successful sides at the tournament, with three wins each, but no favours will be handed to the Caesareans.
The Sarnians claimed Games gold at Springfield in 2015, defeating Isle of Man 3-0 in the final, after the latter topped Jersey’s group to prevent the hosts progressing.
Out of the 15 times football has been on the Games roster, Jersey have been involved in 11 of them.
