The chairman of the International Island Games Association (IIGA) Jörgen Pettersson has praised the Isle of Man’s ‘enthusiasm for sport’ during a tour of its facilities.

Mr Pettersson recently visited the island to assess its suitability to deliver the 2029 Island Games, known as the Olympics for islanders, after the association received an official Manx bid this summer.

If approved, it would be the third time the Isle of Man will host the multi-sport event, which hopes to attract more than 4,000 people and provide an economic boost of around £3.5m for the island.

The Isle of Man is the birthplace of the games having hosted the first ever event in 1985.

Mr Pettersson met with Chief Minister Alfred Cannan MHK and Julie Edge MHK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, before holding talks with the organising committee.

He was also joined by vice chair Andrew Inkster and fellow IIGA representatives Steve Camm and Andy Varnom to discuss key areas of the games - such as venues, accommodation, policing and travel.

Mr Pettersson said: ‘We represent the 24 member islands of the international island games association.

‘We’re here to work together with the Isle of Man to produce the best ever games in 2029.’

The process of applying to host the games isn’t an easy one, which Mr Pettersson explained in detail.

He said: ‘Firstly they have to be a member of the association, and we have 24 members but only half of them are capable of hosting the games.

‘We don’t have a bidding process but we have a negotiating process instead, where those islands that are interested in becoming hosts contact us and explain their interest and show they have things like political support, good enough venues, accommodation and transport and health and security.

‘Once that has happened an island will become a preferred bidder, which is the case for the Isle of Man at the moment, and by being a preferred bidder for 2029 they will be the only ones to deliver a bid.

‘If that’s a good enough bid they will then be nominated as the host island.

‘This will happen in the summer or 2024 at the annual general meeting.’

Asked if he thought the Isle of Man had adequate venues and facilities to host the games in 2029, Mr Pettersson said: ‘They are and we’ve seen the investment programme that’s happened.

‘We see the determination from the government to make sure that all the venues are up to standard.

‘We’ve also seen the NSC, which is actually a jewel.

‘It’s one of the best sports centres that we’ve ever seen within the member islands that we have, and it’s a role model for many others who want many different sports all in the same venue.’

Mr Petterson emphasised how big the games returning to the island would be, and compared the size to a world renowned event.

He said: ‘Every island and every community gains something from making their community feeling inspired and enthusiastic to become a host.

‘When the Island Games comes to the Isle of Man in 2029 it will be larger than the Winter Olympics very likely, so it’s a huge event!’

Julie Edge, MHK for Education, Sport and Culture, said that while she can’t name venues before the decision to host the games has been confirmed, she said most of the sports will be held at the NSC.

However, she added that investment was needed in some facilities before the games can go ahead.

She said: ‘A lot of the sports that are on the selection list for the games would be at the NSC as that’s where the main facilities are.

‘The grandstand in the athletics stadium certainly hasn’t had any work done on it so investment will be needed there, and we’ll aim to make that sustainable.

‘Also there will be work required on the athletics track, work required on the astro pitch at the bowl, but we have got investment we will put in to the infrastructure.’