GAMES OVER
Arafura magic to be back bigger than ever
CLOSING CEREMONY COVERAGE
IT was back, now it’s gone, but it’s here to stay — The Arafura Games will return to Darwin in 2021.
The Waterfront was once again awash with culture, cheer and celebration last night as the Arafura Games closed in style after eight days of competition ranging from playful to record-breaking.
But last night’s closing ceremony became less of a celebration of the past week’s events than a spectacular commitment to returning the Games — after eight years in the wilderness — for good.
Hailing the restoration of the Games as an unqualified success, Arafura Games Minister Natasha Fyles said she was “proud to be part of a government with the foresight to bring back the Games”.
Ms Fyles indicated she was optimistic a cost-benefit analysis, to be conducted in the wake of the Games, will demonstrate to Territorians “the economic and social benefit that these Games bring”.
“The economic benefits will take a while to quantify, but the evidence of the social benefits of these Games are everywhere,” she said.
“Our cafes are full, our accommodation houses are bursting and the city is alive with people speaking in dozens of different languages.
“This is what the Arafura Games — the ‘Inclusive Games’ — is all about; sharing business ties, culture, lifestyle, history and sporting endeavours with our national and international neighbours.”
Ms Fyles announced the Games would return from May 14-22, 2021.
News of the return was welcome to Darwin City & Waterfront Retailers Association chair Elena Gomatos, who said the Games had injected life into a staggering Darwin economy.
“The Arafura Games has given the city a welcomed and much-needed vibrancy and our members have reported an increased foot traffic and some have had improved sales,” she said.
While the build-up to the 2019 Games received lukewarm public anticipation, after eight days of competition, locals at the closing ceremony said they’d been won over.
Calling the Games “a cool breeze after the Wet that never happened”, Darwin-based lawyer Marcel Delany said he was thrilled to hear the Games would return.
“Now that I’ve seen it and seen what it’s done for Darwin, I’m just really excited it’s coming,” he said.
Hundreds of revellers turned out for the Games curtain-call, and another spectacular Ben Graetz production.
The show paid tribute to the Arafura Sea and its people, as well as the athletes about to travel back to their homelands.
Top End school students collaborated with Aly de Groot and the Groote Eylandt Weavers to create the seascape and fitting final moments of the Games as Shellie Morris, Leah Flanagan, Stevie Jean and Skinnyfish Sound System put an exclamation mark on the farewell — until next time.