Governor George Fergusson paid a formal visit to the National Sports Centre (NSC) today to greet NatWest Island Games volunteers, organisers, officials and athletes and inspect the facilities.The Games’ patron was accompanied by wife Margaret, his Aide-de -camp, Captain Clifford Powell, and Bermuda NatWest Island Games Chairman and Jon Beard and Secretary Juanita Blee for the occasion.After meeting with volunteers in the official Games Office at the NSC pavilion, the Governor spoke with members of the media before he and his wife were presented with an official Games’ attache polo shirt by Games’ secretary Blee.“A lot of people will be coming here having their first taste of Bermuda, and I’m very comfortable they will go back and say what a fantastic time they’ve had,” the Governor told reporters.After speaking with the media the Governor took a casual stroll around the NSC to inspect the facilities that will play host to the Games which will commence with Saturday’s opening ceremony at the same venue.The Governor’s visit did little to disrupt the final preparations going on all around him.“It’s great to see things actually happening on the ground,” he said. “The stadium is being built for things like this. It is really exciting being here.”Beard thanked the Governor for taking time out to pay the visit.“It’s fantastic that he’s taking some time out of his very busy schedule to come up and see how we are getting along,” he said.The Games will involve 1,268 athletes from 22 countries.Bermuda has the largest squad (215) while Alderney and St Helena both have the least (five).This year marks the first Bermuda have hosted the Games.Local athletes have captured 174 medals, including 56 gold, since Bermuda first appeared at the Games in Guernsey in 2003.