Arafura games catches flu
Top ADF athletes miss out

By Michael Weaver and Cpl Alisha Carr

CONTINUED uncertainty about the availability of international teams because of ongoing health concerns surrounding Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has forced organisers of the 2003 Arafura Games in Darwin to cancel the event.

An announcement was made on April 23, less than one month before the games were due to begin on May 17.

Instead, the NT Sports Carnival will take its place, with athletes from New Zealand and New Caledonia still making the trip to compete against Australian athletes.

Approximately 200 ADF athletes will be affected by the decision, with many of Defence’s top-rated individuals and teams scheduled to compete at the biennial event.

Arafura Games spokesperson Andrew Cummins said meetings with key stakeholders have been held to discuss ways to limit the impact of the cancellation.

“With less than a month until the start of the 2003 games, organisers felt there was simply too much uncertainty to be able to guarantee a successful event,” he said.

“While it is extremely regrettable that this year’s games had to be cancelled, organisers believe this is the only responsible decision.

“The advice organisers have received from both national and local health authorities indicates that the uncertainty is very unlikely to diminish in the 24 days leading up to the opening of the games.

“Organisers had hoped the situation would improve but recent news has suggested that no such guarantees are possible.
“The situation has been reflected in a number of countries that – despite their enthusiastic support and nomination for the games – have been unable to confirm their attendance because of the climate of uncertainty.”

Mr Cummins said it is better to make this decision now. Any further delay would only make an already difficult situation worse for all involved.

Organisers are very aware of the substantial effect that this decision will have on the local economy, in particular, the tourism industry.

Many thousands of athletes will also share the disappointment of not being able to compete in a traditionally spirited event featuring more than 30 sports.

“However, in order to protect the games’ image as a long-term sporting and tourism icon, it was necessary to act decisively.”
Extra effort would now go into planning for the next Arafura Games in 2005.

One soldier particularly looking forward to the games was Pte Sophie Joynes, 1CSSB, in Darwin.

Pte Joynes recently impressed the competiton while representing the Northern Territory at the Australian National Track and Field Championships in Brisbane, capping off an excellent season by achieving personal bests in the 800m, 1500m and 3000m races.

The Arafura Games were to be her next significant event.

Pte Joynes said she was extremely disappointed at the missed opportunity.

“It’s disappointing when your foundation training has been soley directed towards one event and that event is cancelled,” she said.

“I’ve been training for 12 months for the Arafura Games and there’s no other race up here for ages.”
She said it was good, however, that the NT Sports Carnival was being held in place of the games.