A RECORD number of 3,200 competitors are expected to head to Aland for the NatWest Island Games in 2009. But delays in receiving accommodation information from the host island and concerns about cost mean the size of the Guernsey team is not yet known with fewer than 500 days to go before the event starts.
‘All the islands were asked to say how many competitors they would have. We are not sure at this point how many we will have because we still have not had any estimation of the cost or idea and details of where we will be staying,’ said Denise Fawcett, chairman of the Guernsey Island Games Association.
‘As far as the cost is concerned, we are very much in the dark and until we have that information, we can’t give any estimate.’
The GIGA was expecting to have the information from the Swedish island by the end of January and a meeting has been arranged for Tuesday when it is hoped more will be revealed.
‘We would certainly like to know because it will affect our number and it’s going to have a bearing on how many will go,’ said Fawcett.
‘We would have liked more information, especially about the accommodation. What concerns us is we know they are short of hotel rooms.’
When the Games were first held in Aland in 1991, the majority of the Guernsey team stayed on the floors of schools and halls.
‘We stipulated from the outset this time we did not want that type of accommodation - our athletes don’t want to be in any classrooms on mats because they have moved on from there,’ she said.
‘A good night’s sleep is paramount to our team and we made it perfectly clear from the beginning that we wanted hotel accommodation. I get the impression the reason we are not hearing anything is all the islands are in the same boat and want the hotel accommodation.
‘How on earth will they sort it out?’ she asked.
There has even been some murmuring of housing sports together instead of islands as some are located some distance out of the main town.
But with Guernsey’s wonderful team spirit, she does not want that to happen.
‘We rely on that and being together. It’s very much part of our ethos that when we go to the Games, we stand united. Being fragmented is not what we want,’ said Fawcett.
‘We are concerned. We are not going to say that will happen, but it’s a worry.
‘When I read the number [of competitors] is high my heart sank a bit because accommodation becomes more of an issue. They believe with media and the likes of medical staff, the number could rise to 3,700,’ she admitted.
Issues such as child protection must be considered as well.
It is too early for any of the airlines to confirm any prices for travel to Aland.
According to preliminary registrations, the hosts are expecting to welcome a record 3,200 competitors, says Games director Terese Flojt.
That number could rise a further 500 with team managers, coaches, physiotherapists and doctors and increase even more with an unknown number of supporters and media representatives not yet registered.
The organising committee estimates that about 1,500 volunteers will be required and recruitment is under way for NatWest Island Games XIII.
Four Aland sponsors are already on board - Paf, Viking Line, Alandstidningen and Alandsbanken.
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