Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2003-02-19
Can the minister inform the House on progress of arrangements for the Northern Territory to host the Arafura Games later this year?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for the question. Sport, as we know, is a very important element of our Territory lifestyle, both as competitors and spectators. Sporting events have already made a very substantial contribution to tourist visitation in 2003, and there is more to come, including the Arafura Games and international cricket.
The 7th Arafura Games will be held in Darwin from 17 to 24 May this year. My department has maintained close ties with overseas nations predominantly but, not only nations of the Asia Pacific region, but also with sporting organisations within Australia to ensure maximum participation. Thirty sports will be featured in the 2003 games, including tennis for the first time. There will also be disability events in swimming, and athletics will also be represented, once again, for the first time - a tremendous development.
Venues for all the 30 sports have been finalised. It is expected that around 10 000 people will visit the Marrara precinct during the week’s events. The grassed area outside the Marrara Indoor Stadium is planned to be the hub of the games’ activities. The concept is that anyone in Darwin who is interested in the games can come down to the hub and be able to access food and entertainment, as well as have 10 Arafura sports within easy walking distance. A beach volleyball court will also be erected in this area for the games competition as well as celebrity matches.
Expressions of interest from 2063 athletes have been received by early February. Interest has been expressed from a very diverse mix of countries including, at this stage, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, the United States of America, Japan, East Timor, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, Macao, New Caledonia and Malta. As is usually the case, final registrations will not be known until the commencement of the games. Consistent experience with the games is that registrations continue to be made right up to the commencement of competition, but all indications are very positive for a great Arafura Games.
Over 170 volunteers have been registered so far, with recruitment right on track. The opening ceremony is being developed with the theme ‘Unified Nations’, and will be held on the evening of Saturday 17 May. The opening ceremony is being directed by Darwin’s Matt James with Territory dance theatre company, Tracks Inc, directing the creative part of the event.
Territorian, Lewis Lampton, will choreograph a large schools component and coordinate the culturally significant indigenous traditional welcome. The night will be wound up with a brilliant pyrotechnic finale. Thousands of athletes, accompanied by officials and tourists, will visit the Territory for these Games.
An international sports conference will also be held in conjunction with the Games. Of special interest at this conference will be the participation of Mr Frank Farina, a Darwin-born gentleman who currently has the soccer world at his feet. We know him as the coach of the Australian Socceroos.
I am pleased to advise Territorians that the operational planning of the Arafura Games is well on track, with everyone confident that this will be another huge and successful games. The Arafura Games 2003 will provide a further boost for the Territory lifestyle. The games will also be good for local business and tourism.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for the question. Sport, as we know, is a very important element of our Territory lifestyle, both as competitors and spectators. Sporting events have already made a very substantial contribution to tourist visitation in 2003, and there is more to come, including the Arafura Games and international cricket.
The 7th Arafura Games will be held in Darwin from 17 to 24 May this year. My department has maintained close ties with overseas nations predominantly but, not only nations of the Asia Pacific region, but also with sporting organisations within Australia to ensure maximum participation. Thirty sports will be featured in the 2003 games, including tennis for the first time. There will also be disability events in swimming, and athletics will also be represented, once again, for the first time - a tremendous development.
Venues for all the 30 sports have been finalised. It is expected that around 10 000 people will visit the Marrara precinct during the week’s events. The grassed area outside the Marrara Indoor Stadium is planned to be the hub of the games’ activities. The concept is that anyone in Darwin who is interested in the games can come down to the hub and be able to access food and entertainment, as well as have 10 Arafura sports within easy walking distance. A beach volleyball court will also be erected in this area for the games competition as well as celebrity matches.
Expressions of interest from 2063 athletes have been received by early February. Interest has been expressed from a very diverse mix of countries including, at this stage, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, the United States of America, Japan, East Timor, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, Macao, New Caledonia and Malta. As is usually the case, final registrations will not be known until the commencement of the games. Consistent experience with the games is that registrations continue to be made right up to the commencement of competition, but all indications are very positive for a great Arafura Games.
Over 170 volunteers have been registered so far, with recruitment right on track. The opening ceremony is being developed with the theme ‘Unified Nations’, and will be held on the evening of Saturday 17 May. The opening ceremony is being directed by Darwin’s Matt James with Territory dance theatre company, Tracks Inc, directing the creative part of the event.
Territorian, Lewis Lampton, will choreograph a large schools component and coordinate the culturally significant indigenous traditional welcome. The night will be wound up with a brilliant pyrotechnic finale. Thousands of athletes, accompanied by officials and tourists, will visit the Territory for these Games.
An international sports conference will also be held in conjunction with the Games. Of special interest at this conference will be the participation of Mr Frank Farina, a Darwin-born gentleman who currently has the soccer world at his feet. We know him as the coach of the Australian Socceroos.
I am pleased to advise Territorians that the operational planning of the Arafura Games is well on track, with everyone confident that this will be another huge and successful games. The Arafura Games 2003 will provide a further boost for the Territory lifestyle. The games will also be good for local business and tourism.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016