Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK has added his best wishes to the Isle of Man competitors travelling to Gotland tomorrow (Friday 23 June 2017) to take part in the 17th NatWest Island Games.
 
The Isle of Man is sending a strong squad to Sweden’s largest island to compete alongside 3,000 other athletes representing 23 islands from around the world.
 
The Manx contingent will be aiming for another impressive showing after finishing second in the medal table behind the hosts at the 2015 Games in Jersey, with a haul of 34 gold, 27 silver and 29 bronze medals.
 
The 2017 opening ceremony takes place on Saturday evening at Strandgardet in Gotland’s capital Visby and launches a week of sporting action across 14 different disciplines.
 
The Chief Minister said: ‘The Isle of Man is the birthplace of the Island Games, having hosted the first competition during our Year of Sport in 1985, and it has been gratifying to watch the event grow. I am sure our athletes and officials will be fantastic ambassadors for the Isle of Man and will once again rise to the occasion in Gotland. As well as top class competition, the event brings together small island communities and provides an opportunity to forge lasting friendships.’
 
He added: ‘Sport plays a big part in Manx life and as a nation we work hard to create an environment that nurtures talent and encourages our young people to flourish. I would like to pass on my good wishes to our Island Games team and to pay tribute to the many coaches, officials, volunteers and parents who put in so much effort behind the scenes.’