AIMS Games canned
Threat posed by pandemic shuts down big money-spinner, depriving local economy of millions of dollars
Tauranga’s biggest calendar sporting event which pumped $6.3 million into the local economy last year has been shelved but organisers vow it will return stronger than ever in 2021.
AIMS Games tournament director Vicki Semple said it was the hardest decision the trustees had ever needed to make but the Covid19 pandemic had made hosting the tournament untenable.
“The stark reality is we just couldn’t confidently host more than 11,000 athletes in September while upholding the high standards of wellbeing.
“And this pandemic is so much bigger than sport — not only have we had to weigh up things like training and preparation lead-ins for athletes but we’ve considered the likely economic impact on families and how prepared they are to send their kids away for a week with uncertainty hanging over them.”
Registration numbers were already down and Semple said schools had indicated cost and limited support would prevent them from attending.
There was no other option, said AIMS Games
Trust chairman and Otumoetai Intermediate principal Henk Popping.
“We really didn’t have a choice due to the pandemic and the health and safety risks associated with bringing large numbers of people into Tauranga.
“The advice from health authorities is they couldn’t guarantee that New Zealand would be immune from a second wave of infection so, it’s about minimising risk to the Tauranga community as well.”
With about 350 students attending the Games from his own school each year, Popping knew many across the country would be disappointed.
But, he said, it was now up to schools to make sure the students engaged in an active lifestyle.
Tauranga Intermediate principal Cameron Mitchell agreed with Popping that many students would be disappointed but it was not the end of sporting competitions.
“It is important to note that first and foremost our community sport will be up and running and our students will be able to enjoy the games that they love.”
A report released in December revealed 23,775 people attended AIMS Games last year — 84.5 per cent from outside Tauranga, with the event contributing 74,787 visitor nights to the region and injecting $6,342,417 into the economy.