Sports Minister Wayne Scott has urged the public to rally behind the Island's athletes taking part in the 2013 NatWest Island Games that officially begin today with the opening ceremony at the National Sports Centre (7pm).“As minister responsible for sports, I encourage everyone to come out and support the athletes and cheer on our local competitors,” he said. “We know our local athletes will present strong competition for fellow islanders.”More than 1,250 athletes from 22 countries will showcase their skills on local shores over the next several days.Naturally, expectations are running high among the host country who have assembled the largest contingent of athletes (215) who will launch an assault on the medals up for grabs.Bermuda secured its bid to host the Games in 2008 and since then Minister Scott said a “great deal” has gone into ensuring the event is a success.“The Games has demanded tremendous co-ordination of transportation, accommodation, location, sports governing bodies, athletes, sponsors and volunteers,” added Scott, who represented Bermuda in cycling at the 2003 Island Games in Guernsey.“And I want to acknowledge and thank the Chairman Mr Jon Beard and his committee for their tireless effort, not only to bring the Games to Bermuda, but to manage and organise such a great event.”Beard said he was optimistic the Games would come off successfully.“We are now fine tuning everything we've got and just hoping to put on a great Games,” he said. “We are all excited and happy with the situation we are in, it's been an incredible effort from everybody.“Everybody is excited and pleased with what's happening and the people coming in are looking forward to it, so all in all I think we are in great shape.“We've ticked all the boxes we know of and checked and doubled checked everything.”This year marks the first time that the biennial Games has been held outside of Europe and Minister Scott has urged the public to do their part in making the event a memorable experience for all especially for visiting athletes.“It's time to roll out the red carpet and to welcome all the visiting athletes who have worked so hard and made great sacrifices to participate in these Games,” he said. “We want our visitors to enjoy the Games and, of course, our famous Bermudian hospitality.”Beard thanked the many Government ministries, organisers and volunteers who have pooled their resources for the cause.“It would be impossible without the volunteers and for me that's been the major thing,” he said. “These Games have pulled the community together in so many ways.“A lot of Government ministries have been involved in this from Home Affairs to Planning to the Police to obviously Sport, Tourism, Immigration and Customs along with some fantastic people within the community who given their time up, rolled their sleeves up and said 'tell me what I can do'.“Everyone just wants this to be really successful and for all us involved this has been fantastic to see it.”Governor George Fergusson, the Games' Patron, will officially declare the 2013 NatWest Island Games open at today's opening ceremony at the NSC.