Sumburgh Airport has announced that it will provide £20,000 of sponsorship towards the Shetland 2005 NatWest Island Games XI.

HIAL is the latest organisation to commit significant funding to the event. HIAL joins the four local companies to become Major Games Sponsors so far - BP Sullom Voe Terminal, Shetland Catch, Lerwick Port Authority and Shetland Transport.

Sumburgh Airport will be key to the success of the transport logistics for the Games with over 1,000 Games passengers coming in on scheduled and chartered flights to the Airport during the event. Islands such as the Faroes, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey are chartering flights into Sumburgh.

The NatWest Island Games, organised by the International Island Games Association, take place every two years and involve competitors from 24 member islands worldwide. Member islands include Aland, Alderney, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Froya, Gibraltar, Gotland, Greenland, Guernsey, Hitra, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Jersey, Orkney, Prince Edward Island, Rhodes, Saaremaa, Sark, Shetland, St Helena, Western Isles and Ynys Mon.

Since the first Island Games in 1985, which were held in the Isle of Man, they have grown in popularity and in stature. The Guernsey Games in 2003 attracted more than 2,000 competitors.

The Shetland 2005 Games will take place between 9-15 July 2005 and are expected to bring an influx of international visitors and supporters to the islands. The event is being organised by Shetland Island Games 2005 Ltd and will include competition in disciplines ranging from archery and athletics to gymnastics, sailing and volleyball.

Carole Laignel, Assistant Airport Manager at Sumburgh Airport, said: “The Games are a major event and we are delighted to be able to support them. Many of the competitors and spectators will be arriving in Shetland by air so the airport will be playing its part in the Games in many respects.”

Alex Johnson, HIAL’s Commercial and Marketing Manager said: “As a company we are actively involved in supporting economic and social development in the communities served by our airports. The NatWest Island Games provides a unique opportunity for Shetland to promote itself on an international stage and we are very pleased to be backing this initiative.”

Chairman of Shetland Island Games 2005, John Scott said: “I am delighted  that HIAL has made such a significant contribution to the event and I hope this will be a further catalyst for companies to become involved in sponsoring the Games in 2005.”

ENDS