Here is the speech of the Prime Minister at the farewell ceremony of the ISF in connection with the 2025 Island Games

 

Good morning everyone!

The 20th Island Games are now underway.

It’s been forty years since the first trip.

And so one can rightly call this a long and wonderful tradition, which we are good at. 

The Island Games are the highlight for many of you.

It is there that you do your best to get results from countless exercises.

It is there that you develop and prepare for sporting challenges in the future. 

But it is also a community where friendships are made.

Both in the Faroese camp, but also with the athletes from the other islands.

There’s a reason why the games are usually called friendlies.

I know it’s about winning medals, but it’s also important to make friends – and create good memories. 

This time you will be the first to represent Faroe Islands at the Island Games in the Orkney Islands.

And in just one week, Oddvør Alberta Kimsdóttir will carry the Faroese water to the Island Games.

That moment is always special.

As the youngest Faroese – 13 years old – Oddvør Alberta will experience for the first time the spirit and cohesion that characterizes the games.

But it seems she already knows what it’s all about.

I read on Icelandic National Broadcasting that she is looking forward to traveling with her gymnastics friends, meeting new people and competing in another country. 

It’s a very good summary of what the Island Games are:

Friendship, getting to know new people and competing abroad.

While some are participating for the first time, others have participated before – and even won convincingly.

Eight years ago Anja Eydnudóttir won no fewer than five gold medals in archery at the Island Games in Gotland.

After a long break, she is back, and we look forward to following her.

There should also be room for a bit of funny sticks when you go on such a trip.

And that was especially a stick, I noticed, now that we have a strong representation in long distance running.

It seems that Bragdið in Havn has developed well in recent years.

And that’s why the runner Julian Gregersen from Treystinum in Klaksvík said so bluntly that it was funny that the people of Hafnarfjörður have started running so fast. 

But there is a truth to it. We remember two years ago in Guernsey, when two young guys from Bragdið won gold in both 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters. 

Good evening,

Now I expect you all to be excited. And that you have hopes of enjoying and learning from this week, you are away.

You may see that in many sports the conditions are good in Faroe Islands, while in some areas we are still behind.

Of course, everything can get better.

And in small societies like ours, volunteer enthusiasts are crucial for the development of not only small, but also larger sports.

It is thanks to you enthusiasts that we have the opportunity to send athletes to competitions abroad. 

Hello everyone,

We’ve been here for about two years. Then we’ll have a home field.

Let these Island Games be the beginning of that breakthrough.

I look forward to seeing you fight for the Faroe Islands in the Orkney Islands. And I have no doubt that the Faroese will follow the army closely at home. 

Good luck, everyone, and get going now.

See you in the Orkney Islands!