Terry,
Arafura Games is a strong sporting festival, larger than Commonwealth Games and not only involves sport but behind the scenes economic exchanges between the Northern Territory and our Asian Neighbours. Territory Major Events have a group of staff who work full time on the games year in year out to make it a success and we are only one of over 20 sports permitted into the games. All sports must run within the guidelines of the Arafura Games Charter and international rules and regulations by their NSO and Asian Federation. Tenpin bowling has now attracted teams from Malaysia, Singapore, China, Brunei, Indonesia and most Asian Federations have advised the NT Government that a youth and open competition will attract them to send a team. The Games is an international event and sports remain in the games because of the internationals and open teams that they attract. The idea of the Games is to provide opportunities for developing open class athletes and seasoned open class athletes with top competition and promotion of the sport. This Bi-annual event provides our sport with international television coverage, local print, radio and television coverage and each year we attract more and more international bowlers. In 2009 we hope that all states will send a youth team as an opportunity to gain international tournament experience on their home soil, and perhaps some states will have rolloffs or selection to send representative teams now that the rules encompass teams of 6 from a country, state or region.
The Arafura Classic Singles is a separate event but every two years is held at the end of Arafura Games so that the internationals will stay and compete.
In 2009 it is hoped that Arafura Classic Singles will be on the ABF Rankings Tour as well as the TBA Rankings Tour.
June