Arafura Games

The Territory Government today announced the line up of sports selected for Arafura Games 2011.

Minister for Sport and Recreation, Kon Vatskalis, said 27 sports have been included in the next Arafura Games with the Oceania Open Paralympic Championships also returning to the competition.

"The Arafura Games is the premier sporting event of the Territory and it is growing bigger and better every year," said Mr Vatskalis.

"An important part of our great lifestyle, the Games is about strengthening relationships with our Asian neighbours, bringing top class sporting competition to the Top End and showcasing emerging champions of the Asia Pacific region.

"Arafura Games has really become focused on becoming a quality sporting event. We reduced the number of sports from 30 to 23 in 2007 to increase and ensure quality competition.

"Following the success of the last Games we have now increased the competition back up to 27 sports, including two new ones – Darts and Muaythai."

The sports included in Arafura Games 2011 are -

· Athletics

· Badminton

· Basketball

· Boxing

· Football (Soccer)

· Hockey

· Sepak Takraw

· Swimming

· Table Tennis

· Volleyball

· Weightlifting

· Darts

· Muaythai

· Beach Volleyball

· Clay Target Shooting

· IPSC Pistol Shooting

· Softball (Women)

· Cycling – road only

· Golf

· ISSF Pistol / Air Rifle

· International Life Saving

· Lawn Bowls

· Netball

· Squash

· Tennis

· Tenpin Bowling

· Triathlon

The eight sports which will include Paralympic events as part of the Oceania Open Paralympic Championships are Athletics, Cerebal Palsy Football (Soccer), Cycling, Pistol Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Wheelchair Tennis.

Mr Vatskalis said the selected sports went through a rigorous selection process.

"The sports had to satisfy Games organisers that they will be able to achieve a genuine international field and high standard of competition," he said.

The next Arafura Games will take place between 7 – 14 May 2011.