Mr KIELY - 2007-05-03
This month, Darwin will play host to many nations as our athletes and officials take part in the Arafura Games. Can you tell this House how the games are shaping up, and how they continue to contribute to our great Territory lifestyle?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. First, though, I would like to respond to the member for Braitling, yes, I did have a licence when I opened the shooting range.
There are only nine days to go until the Arafura Games 2007. We are expecting 2500 athletes from 30 countries with hundreds of coaches, officials and, of course, the supporters. The response we have received from our overseas marketing was significant – it was fantastic. This year, the Arafura Games have been expanded to include seven sports for athletes with disabilities. Some of these sports incorporate the Oceania Paralympic Championships, the Oceania Junior Championships and the Commonwealth Junior Weightlifting Championships. I believe about 20 countries will attend the latter event.
I am delighted to advise the House that Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee and his wife, Lady Jocelyne Craven, will be travelling to Darwin to witness the games firsthand. We will be honoured to host Mr Craig Phillips, Secretary General of the Australian Olympic Committee; Mr Simon Baulderstone AM, member of the International Olympic Committee’s Sport and Environment Committee; eight senior officials from the Beijing Olympic Organising Committee; Mr Darren Peters, Chef de Mission for the Australian Paralympic Committee team for Beijing; and Mr Greg Hartung OAM, President of the Australian Paralympic Committee.
An important part of the games is the International Sports Conference, where all these dignitaries share their experience and knowledge with participants. I encourage all Territorians to take part in this conference and learn from some of the world’s best sports administrators.
The wheelchair basketball competition will be the qualifying event for the Beijing Paralympics for Asia and Oceania. Five teams will play for three positions: Australia, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait and Iran.
Local community groups are making arrangements for billeting athletes and putting together many community events to make our guests welcome. I am very pleased to billet two athletes from the Philippines who will play table tennis during the Arafura Games.
Local businesses have contributed about $800 000 in sponsorship, and 22 primary schools are participating in the Adopt-a-Country program. I am looking forward to seeing the banners they put together for the opening. They are absolutely fantastic.
We have the event of lighting the flame which will take place on the Tiwi Islands at a traditional ceremony on Thursday 10 May 2007. I will be very pleased to receive it on 11 May 2007 across the Arafura Sea. These games are going to be the best games in the history of the Arafura Games. I look forward to seeing you all at the opening ceremony.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Sanderson for his question. First, though, I would like to respond to the member for Braitling, yes, I did have a licence when I opened the shooting range.
There are only nine days to go until the Arafura Games 2007. We are expecting 2500 athletes from 30 countries with hundreds of coaches, officials and, of course, the supporters. The response we have received from our overseas marketing was significant – it was fantastic. This year, the Arafura Games have been expanded to include seven sports for athletes with disabilities. Some of these sports incorporate the Oceania Paralympic Championships, the Oceania Junior Championships and the Commonwealth Junior Weightlifting Championships. I believe about 20 countries will attend the latter event.
I am delighted to advise the House that Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee and his wife, Lady Jocelyne Craven, will be travelling to Darwin to witness the games firsthand. We will be honoured to host Mr Craig Phillips, Secretary General of the Australian Olympic Committee; Mr Simon Baulderstone AM, member of the International Olympic Committee’s Sport and Environment Committee; eight senior officials from the Beijing Olympic Organising Committee; Mr Darren Peters, Chef de Mission for the Australian Paralympic Committee team for Beijing; and Mr Greg Hartung OAM, President of the Australian Paralympic Committee.
An important part of the games is the International Sports Conference, where all these dignitaries share their experience and knowledge with participants. I encourage all Territorians to take part in this conference and learn from some of the world’s best sports administrators.
The wheelchair basketball competition will be the qualifying event for the Beijing Paralympics for Asia and Oceania. Five teams will play for three positions: Australia, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait and Iran.
Local community groups are making arrangements for billeting athletes and putting together many community events to make our guests welcome. I am very pleased to billet two athletes from the Philippines who will play table tennis during the Arafura Games.
Local businesses have contributed about $800 000 in sponsorship, and 22 primary schools are participating in the Adopt-a-Country program. I am looking forward to seeing the banners they put together for the opening. They are absolutely fantastic.
We have the event of lighting the flame which will take place on the Tiwi Islands at a traditional ceremony on Thursday 10 May 2007. I will be very pleased to receive it on 11 May 2007 across the Arafura Sea. These games are going to be the best games in the history of the Arafura Games. I look forward to seeing you all at the opening ceremony.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016