Steve Jacobs thinks the vote between Jersey and Gotland will be close

Jersey have sent out a last reminder of the merits of voting for their bid to host the 2015 Island Games.

The choice is between Jersey and Sweden's biggest island, Gotland.

Steve Jacobs, chairman of the Island Games Association of Jersey, has stressed the financial security of Jersey's bid, and the ready facilities.

"We're ready to go and could hold the games next year," he told BBC Jersey. "And we are completely underwritten and supported by our government."

All 25 member islands will have one vote and the decision will be made on Sunday, 27 June at the International Island Games Association Annual General Meeting in the Isle of Wight.

We are more confident as time goes on Steve Jacobs

It is thought that Jersey's excellent travel links and a broad range of accommodation, together with cheaper costs than Gotland, could work to their advantage.

The Gotland bid, meanwhile, is promising excellent sports venues, with a new indoor arena and swimming pool planned by 2015.

Jacobs knows it will be a tight call between the two islands.

"We're not wholly confident, but we are more confident as time goes on," he said.

"We have been doing our best, using friendly persuasion, to make them [the other islands] see the sense in voting for us over Gotland."

The Isle of Wight will host the next bi-annual Games in July 2011 and Bermuda will be the venue in 2013.

Both Jersey and Gotland have hosted the Games once before, Jersey in 1997 and Gotland two years later.

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