Island Games stamps capture sporting challenge

A new collection of stamps depicting the 14 sports that will be hosted at this year’s Island Games was launched yesterday.

Local artist Leslie Gaduzo was commissioned create the artwork and then the stamps were designed by graphics artist Stephen Perera.

Mr Gaduzo said he was inspired by the motion of the sports and attempted to capture the “maximum effort” by the sportsperson in their chosen sport.

Island Games Stamps 250419{ seq} ( Photo John Bugeja) set of 14 stamps issued to commemorate the games. Stamps artwork commissioned to Leslie Gaduzo

Mr Gaduzo and his girlfriend, Valerie Cisarego, undertook each sport and captured the movement on video so that he was able to comprehend the “dynamic movements” intrinsic to each sport.

Minister for Sport, Steven Linares, officially launched the stamps at a press conference in John Mackintosh Hall yesterday.

“Bringing out a set of stamps is something that is iconic and I believe this set of stamps will be very popular with people from 24 islands will who will be visiting us,” he said.

He said this will be something the athletes will be able to take away with them.

The stamp collection was welcomed by Linda Alvarez, Chairwoman of the Gibraltar 2019 Natwest International Island Games XVIII.

She said: “It is quite difficult to show the different sports and I just love the action shots.”

“This is something quite different and quite retro.”

Aaron Enriles said his team at the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau is proud to sponsor the Island Games.

He said this collection will spread across many countries around the world including the 20,000 stamp collectors affiliated with the Bureau.

The collection of stamps will be available to purchase at the Philatelic Shop outside the Post Office in Main Street and online at www.gibraltar-stamps.com.

Pics by Johnny Bugeja