The Alice Springs Masters Game is facing an uncertain future due to a lack of interest. While the games are meant to be hosted every two years, the last event was in 2018. And this year’s game has attracted low registration numbers.
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00:00Once a thriving fixture in the Alice Springs calendar, now on its knees and on the verge
00:07of being struck out.
00:09After several postponements and cancellations since the last event, many aren't surprised
00:15this year's Masters Games is struggling to find its feet.
00:18You know, six years later now, I think we've dropped out of the mindfulness of people largely.
00:24The champion runner worried not enough is being done to provide much needed support
00:29and marketing for the event.
00:31Now unfortunately we've got that reputation now around the country of not being a safe
00:35place to visit and you know that's really hit home with so many people even though that's
00:40largely not true.
00:41I think what we've seen in Alice Springs over a long period of time is that there are some
00:45community events that are really struggling to occur year after year.
00:49The government needs to get in behind these events because they are great economic drivers
00:54for our town.
00:55Swimming among several sports already throwing in the towel this year, while registration
01:01and volunteer numbers are way down across the board.
01:05Further uncertainty added to the mix at NT Estimates earlier this month.
01:10I can give Alice Springs Residency assurance that if it does not go ahead it's not because
01:13of the government changing its position.
01:15We are funding this, we are moving forward on this.
01:18The only thing that would hold it going forward would be volunteers and participants.
01:23The government owned NT Major Events Company says it's fully committed to delivering this
01:27year's games, even if it's done on a smaller scale.
01:31But beyond 2024, standing up the games every two years may no longer be sustainable.