There are four days and two presentations left before Bermuda?s Island Games fate is decided.

A delegation of eight ? including ?the world?s most enthusiastic Sports Minister? Dale Butler ? flew out last night bound for Rhodes for the Island Games Federation AGM and a head-to-head battle with the Isle of Wight to host the 2011 Games.

And Jon Beard, chairman of Bermuda?s Island Games Committee, is confident they can win the votes necessary to bring the $3 million Games to the Island.

?I?m feeling a lot more comfortable than I did a few months ago,? said Beard, who revealed the bid package had already cost $20,000.

?I know some of the islands have already made their minds up ? because they have contacted us to say they are going with us ? but there are still a few left to persuade.

?I think it will be very close but I have been rehearsing the presentation ? I must have done it ten times now ? and every time I go through it, I feel more and more confident.

?I think we are in a position to put on a very good Games ? a once in a lifetime event for the other islands.?

The delegation, including Minister Butler, arrive on the Greek island of Rhodes today and will be staging a workshop/bid presentation tomorrow.

Friday sees a site visit for venues for next year?s Rhodes Games before the D-Day AGM on Saturday. There will be one final presentation before the vote, scheduled for some time in the afternoon.

?The executive committee recommended the Isle of Wight bid,? continued Beard. ?The three main areas of concern were cost, Governmental support and how new we are to the Island Games movement.

?I am happy we have addressed all those concerns. We have spent a lot of time with Tourism and the hoteliers and we have been able to come up with some deals which will bring down costs. The introduction of the new airlines has also helped our cause.

?As for support of the Government, they are now very much behind us and the world?s most enthusiastic sports minister is part of our presentation.

?The newness thing is really nothing ? we will be as new to the movement then as Rhodes are staging this next Games.?

The decision on whether Bermuda will get the chance to host the best part of 3,000 athletes and officials in the 14 sport event will be voted for by members and the executive committee at the end of the AGM.

?It?s going to be very close,? added Beard. ?Very close.?