Anglesey games bid decision day

A member of the Jarl squad at the Island Games' opening ceremony

Organisers of the world Island Games have backed a bid for the event to be held on Anglesey in 2009.

The full membership of the games' association will announce its decision on Tuesday during the 11th staging of the event in Lerwick on Shetland.

The executive committee has endorsed the north Wales bid, above that of rivals Aland, from Finland.

Anglesey has taken part in the games since the bi-annual event started in 1985, but has never played host.

The 2009 event has been described as one that could mean more to north Wales than last week's announcement of the 2012 Olympics being staged in London.

Anglesey's bid claims the island would benefit from a host of new facilities, including a new six-lane indoor swimming pool.

Existing facilities would be upgraded to bring them into line with the standards expected by top athletes, according to bid leaders.

"There's a wealth of talent and experience in a range of sports on the island," said Aled Roberts, head of services for leisure and community at Anglesey borough council.

"And we want to give local people the opportunity to compete at the highest level on their own patch."

The games have come to Shetland but have still to be held in Wales

"For the week of the games, the economy would benefit from 2,500 competitors and between 6-8,000 spectators visiting the island.

"The projections are that it could add up to three million pounds to the local economy."

The island games have been staged every two years since they began in 1985. This year's tournament in Scotland has seen competitors from as far as the Falkland Islands and Rhodes.

Anglesey was among the original 14 and has fielded a team at every event since, but has never had the chance to host the tournament, unlike its Finnish rival for the 2009 bid.

Aland staged the event in 2001, but the Anglesey delegation is said not to be taking Tuesday's announcement for granted.

"They are very strong competitors," said Mr Roberts. "The have virtually everything in place.

"But one key remit of the International Island Games is regeneration. And I take some confidence from the fact that the executive committee has endorsed our bid as opposed to the bid by Aland.

"But it's a close call - that's for sure."

The Anglesey team won a gold medal in the team shooting event on the opening day this year's games in Shetland.