GAMES POPULAR

Athletes around the world are jumping at the chance to come to Auckland for the World Masters Games 2017, with two sports sold out and a further three sports approaching capacity. The event is set to be held in Auckland and Waikato next April. It’s one of the world’s largest multi-sport events with about 25,000 athletes expected to compete in 28 sports at 48 venues. Registrations are tracking ahead of Sydney 2009, which attracted a record 29,000 participants. For next year’s Games, football (140 teams) and softball (150) are already sold out, hockey can accommodate just a few more teams, while archery and golf are also nearing capacity. Chief executive Jennah Wootten says people keen to participate can choose to sign up for the other available sports to avoid disappointment.