The Arafura Games

Dubbed as the "meeting of Sporting Neighbours", the Arafura Games is an international sports competition for players coming from the Asia Pacific Region. The event holds over 23 sports events for athletes who have come to join this week-long festivity in promoting healthy competition, sportsmanship, friendship and cultural diversity. It also encourages professional development among players, officials and coaches. The event's fundamental principles are focused on supporting international athletes in representing their respective countries through their sports, imparting knowledge through officiating and coaching courses and upholding the importance of cultural understanding and goodwill among participating countries.

With the city of Darwin being the host of the Arafura Games, it's no surprise that Rocky the rock wallaby is chosen as the event's mascot. The Arafura Games' logo, having a design of flags, symbolizes the gathering of different athletes from different parts of the region. Despite being divided by the Arafura Sea, competitors from South East Asia and Northern Australia managed to prove how friendship and competition can go well together when it comes to sports. The logo's four colors are actually a combination of the Arafura Sea's cool shade of turquoise, the sun, the blue skies and the Northern Territory's land forms.

Held every two years, the Arafura Games has long been known as one of the premier sports competition in the Asia Pacific. Having only 1,500 competitors who came from seven Asia Pacific countries and competed in 13 events, this sports event started in 1991 when it was still called the "Arafura Sports Festival". By 2005, the number of competitors rose to over 3,000, all coming from 32 countries to play in 30 events. Now, the numbers continue to soar and the spirit of camaraderie still emanates in the Arafura Games.

Northern Territory Photos