MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands ‘invasion broadcaster’ short listed for Commonwealth Sports award

Patrick Watts, known for his manning of the radio station during the Argentine invasion in April 1982

Falklands’ news casting veteran Patrick Watts, known for his manning of the radio station during the Argentine invasion in April 1982, and an active promoter of the Islands worldwide, is on the shortlist for a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 29th Annual Commonwealth Sports Awards.

Falkland Islands Overseas Games Association (FIOGA) Chair Mike Summers said, “We are delighted to announce the inclusion of Patrick Watts on the shortlist for a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 29th Annual Commonwealth Sports Awards to be held in Birmingham on 6th November 2010. These are prestigious awards, and FIOGA would like to congratulate Patrick on his inclusion in the event. He will attend with his wife Sila.”

It is through Mr Watts’ determined efforts over many years that the Falklands began sending teams to both the Small Island Games and the Commonwealth Games.

From Holland Mr. Watts said he was highly motivated for having led the teams because it sends a strong message to the world that Islanders are proudly British.
 

“I have always felt a great deal of pride in leading our teams to participate at the Commonwealth and Island Games as it sends a message to the world that we are British and Falkland Islanders and proud of it.”
 

Mr Summers spoke from Delhi where he is managing the Falkland Islands team at the Commonwealth Games. Islanders were delighted to hear in the past two days that their tiny team achieved a win in both badminton doubles over Uganda and in lawn bowls over Samoa.

He also added, “FIOGA is delighted to announce that they have been allocated an intern from the CGF/Canada jointly funded 2011-12 Capacity Support Programme to assist sports development in smaller countries. The intern will come to the Falklands for a year and assist in developing FIOGA, its affiliated clubs and other interested sporting bodies in whatever way they would wish. In particular FIOGA will help develop training and support programmes for clubs, source external funding for sports development and develop the FIOGA website to include access to Zeus (the CGF operational website) and Adams (the anti-doping website). It is anticipated these will greatly assist the administration of future games.”

“FIOGA continues to appreciate the strong support of the people at home for our participation at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi,” said Mr Summers, “and thanks our sponsors the Falkland Islands Government, Caribbean Alliance, Falkland Islands Company, Cable & Wireless, Standard Chartered Bank and South Harbour Consulting without whose assistance much of this would not be possible.”

Lisa Watson – SeAledPR - Stanley