SEA Games dry run in Darwin
JAKARTA (JP): The fourth Arafura Games in May 1997 in Darwin, Australian Northern Territory, look set to serve well as a warm- up arena for the 19th Southeast Asian Games which will be held just a few months later.
The Northern Territory's Minister of Sport and Recreation Steve Hutton said here yesterday that a number of Southeast Asian countries have revealed interest in coming across for the two- yearly Arafura sporting festival.
"We hope that Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia will be sending big teams in the build-up competition for the SEA Games," Hutton told The Jakarta Post. "Some sports in the Arafura Games, such as swimming, shooting and basketball, are of the same standards as their SEA Games equivalents."
Indonesia will play host to the 1997 SEA Games during October's school holidays.
Hutton, accompanied by the Arafura Games general manager Wally Mauger, paid a courtesy call to the National Sports Council on Monday to convey an official invitation to Indonesia to take part in the regional sporting meet.
The Northern Territory minister is scheduled to meet with his Indonesian counterpart, Hayono Isman, today.
No less than 5,000 sportsmen and women from 20 countries throughout the Asia and Pacific region are expected to compete in 28 events in Darwin, making the biggest Arafura Games ever since their inception in 1991.
The Northern Territory Government's Department of Sport and Recreation, with full support of the City of Darwin and several sponsoring companies have provided A$2.2 million for the Games.
The Northern Territory is the underwriter of all costs of the Games, but Hutton said that he would prompt a discussion to move the Games outside Australian soil during the 1997 meet. "We, however, will keep our support," Hutton said.
The Arafura Games were initiated in 1991 to provide 'the emerging sports people' a stepping stone to international events such as the Commonwealth, the SEA Games and the South Pacific Games.
Indonesia, represented by eastern provincial squads, entered the first two episodes of the Games, but missed the 1995 event. (amd)