THE chairman of the organising committee has emphasised that security will be good for the NatWest Island Games in Rhodes in the summer. Lee Minaidis made the assurance on a trip to Jersey this week in response to the much publicised abandoned football match between Guernsey and Rhodes at the Corbet Field four years ago when six players - five from Rhodes - were sent off.
‘It was very unfortunate what happened in Guernsey and none of the players involved has taken part in an Island Games again,’ she said.
‘It was out of keeping and measures have been taken to ensure it does not happen again. We have close contact with the national and municipality police and the special force agency have given us advice and guidance.
‘I do not foresee any repetition. Everyone was very upset with what happened in Guernsey, those who were there and those back home. Rhodes people are hospitable and very friendly and I’m sure that will be the case during our Games.
‘I’m very satisfied with the plan - a lot has happened over the past three or four years to get everything organised and ready. What I’m really looking forward to is seeing everything drop into place.’
Minaidis was in Jersey for several days for a series of Island Games Association executive committee meetings.
The group also visited Alderney yesterday, meeting their Island Games officials.
Rhodes is gearing up for the biggest Games to date with about 3,200 competitors, officials, technicians and press personnel expected to travel there in late June.
Exactly 100 days before the start of the XII Games, Minaidis confirmed on Wednesday that, despite problems, all the facilities would be ready for the seven-day sporting show and the residents would welcome everyone with open arms.
‘Everything is moving along quite well. There has been a delay with the shooting facilities and there were problems obtaining building permits, but this has been resolved this week,’ she said.
‘The clay-target range will be built by a company called La Porte. They are well known as they built the facilities for the 2004 Olympics. All the equipment to build it is already in Rhodes so now we have obtained the permit work will start very soon.
‘Work on the pistol range has begun too. Jersey’s Derek Bernard has given us a lot of advice on this facility. He is a very experienced shooter and we are grateful to him for his assistance.
‘Some sports are not so well known to our island, so we have to have help. Our goals and aims are the same as the Island Games Association - to help improve our infrastructure, thereby improving participation long-term for our people,’ Minaidis added.
With such a large number going to Rhodes, there will now be two Games Villages, one in the town centre and the other 10 minutes away.
‘We did hope to have everyone together, but that is now not possible with the number. But it is not a problem because both areas are not far from the athletics centre and the nautical area where the majority of the sports will take place,’ said Minaidis.
The official confirmed that the opening ceremony would be held in an ancient stadium, which holds up to around 9,000.
Details are always closely guarded secrets although Minaidis confirmed it would based on an ancient theme.
Traditionally the town centre criterium cycling race is the last sporting discipline but this will not be the case in Rhodes as traffic police believe it will cause a lot of problems.
That will now be held on Sunday 1 July from 5pm, with the final Games events being the football final at 5pm and the triathlon, which beings an hour earlier.
Around 600 volunteers have already signed up to help out at all events.
A bus transport system will be in place to ferry competitors and spectators between the sporting venues.
Article posted on 23rd March, 2007 - 12.00am
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