SEA Games dry run in Darwin
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)