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Bermuda is still hoping to host the Island Games sports festival despite being dealt a body blow by the organizing committee — which would rather see the competition held in the Isle of Wight.

The island’s high prices, the proposed dates for the event and a perceived lack of public and Government support were the reasons given for the Games’ Executive Committee’s decision not to back Bermuda’s bid.

The final say, though, goes to the participating countries, which will vote on the matter in July.

The competition is a mini-Olympics for small islands.

It pits countries of similar size against each other in various sporting events including squash, tennis, basketball, football, athletics and gymnastics.

At the most recent games, held in Shetland last summer, Bermuda took home 46 medals, including 16 golds.

Bermuda Island Games secretary Jon Gazzard said he was not too despondent about yesterday's recommendation.

“History is on our side. On the last two occasions the members have gone against the recommendation of the executive,” he said.

He was disappointed, however, at the comments made about the lack of public support.

The Island Games committee singled out Sports Minister Dale Butler as showing “great support” for the event, but added that “senior politicians” for the Isle of Wight backed its bid.

But he said he was hopeful that Government would provide some financial backing and help galvanise the bid.

“The Island Games is new to Bermuda. It's a case of introducing everyone to it and making sure everyone understands what it can do and what it can be.

“If you look at the Commonwealth Games a good majority of those that did well had gone to the Island Games and had that international exposure.

“The gymnasts are my favourite example of what the games can do. They got the experience in Shetland and then went on to Melbourne and some of them qualified for the finals.”

But he said the Games was not just a great stepping stone. It was a chance for Bermuda's athletes to compete internationally on a level playing field.

“It's one thing to go against the big countries and reach a final but to go against countries of a similar size and to win. That's when you know how good you are and it gives you confidence to go on from there.”

The next step for the Island Games Association is to step up their marketing campaign to convince the other nations to go against the recommendation.

They are currently putting together a video and despite the reservations expressed about cost, will continue to promote Bermuda as the high-end destination.

“We are not trying to hide the fact that this is an expensive place. But this is Bermuda.

“You are going to get excellent weather, top end accommodation. There are all kinds of extra benefits.”

The other problem the Island Games Association had with Bermuda's bid was that it planned to host the games in late-August, which clashes with the start of the school term.

But Gazzard said this could not be changed because the hotels would be too full earlier in the summer to cope with the influx of athletes and tourists.

The final decision will be made at the Island Games Association's annual general meeting in Rhodes on July 8 when island delegates will cast their votes.

Each of the 25 member-islands has two votes while the six members of the executive committee have one vote each, for 56 votes in total.[[In-content Ad]]

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