MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Gibraltar welcomes Menorca to Island Games

”We do not mix politics with sport, and the Gibraltar Island Games committee has welcomed Menorca (Spain) into the Island Games family,” Linda Alvarez, Secretary of the Gibraltar Island Games Committee, said at the end of the meeting which was also attended by President Freddy Chappory.

"We have no problems with them competing. They are after all our neighbours".

The statement comes after intensive lobbying and discussions throughout this week not just with the Menorca Island Games Committee but with other member islands that have always supported Gibraltar, a founder member of the games. Gibraltar has been participating since 1987.

During the meeting the Falkland Islands delegation proposed that if Menorca were ever to make a bid to host the games they should obtain a written guarantee from the Spanish Government that Gibraltar would be allowed to use its name, fly the flag and use the national anthem. This was accepted by all the islands and agreed by Menorca.

It was agreed that there would also be a change in the constitution at the next IG AGM in Rhodes when the Executive Committee will put up a proposal that all islands are guaranteed that their national anthem and flag will be accepted.

For the next games Gibraltar supported Ynys Mon and not Aland. Linda said the committee had taken this decision because of cost.

"Ynys Mon have never held the games and wanted this opportunity to improve their sporting facilities as happened to us in Gibraltar in 1995."

Aland has already hosted the games once before in 1991.