Postponement of Alice Springs Masters Games to hurt struggling Central Australian economy

Tourism operators and sporting enthusiasts have expressed their frustration over the cancellation of the 2022 Alice Springs Masters Games, after it was first being pushed back in 2020.

THE 2022 Alice Springs Masters Games (ASMG) have been dumped due to “Covid-19 uncertainty”, after first being pushed back in 2020 for the same reason.

Taking place across numerous venues every two years, the Games have attracted competitors from around the nation to Central Australia since they first took place in 1986.

NT Major Events, the government agency responsible for the event, said the Games had been pencilled in for a return in 2023.

“We are disappointed to be deferring the Alice Springs Masters Games until 2023, but it is the best solution in light of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Minister for Major Events Natasha Fyles.

The further postponement of the games will serve a shattering blow to tourism and hospitality operators, many of whom already struggling in the wake of two underwhelming Red Centre tourist seasons.

The 2018 Alice Springs Masters Games brought in millions for the Central Australian economy. Picture: Supplied.

Tourism Central Australia (TCA) slammed the NT government’s decision to pull out of the Games at short notice.

With the Arafura Games already gutted from Darwin earlier this year, TCA chief executive Danial Rochford said the Territory could not afford to lose another major event in the current climate.

“It’s a significant blow to our regional economy, while we are on our knees as a result of the pandemic,” he said.

“Events – and especially major events like the Masters Games – inject millions into our regional economy and that money – because of the government’s decision – will now no longer be coming into our economy when we need it the most.

“We expect more from our government at this difficult time.”

Mr Rochford called for a “strategic focus” on major events in Central Australia in order to help keep the regional economy afloat.

Following the initial cancellation of event in early 2020 – and with some local residents calling for a revitalisation of the Games – a workshop was facilitated by the NT government to gather community input.

Central Australian sports enthusiasts have also been let down by the axing, with no Masters Games being held in the region since 2018.

Alice Springs Walking and Running Club committee member John Bermingham. Picture: Emma Murray.

Alice Springs Walking and Running Club committee member John Bermingham, who also works as a sports co-ordinator at the Games, said the postponement is a step towards the “slow death” of a much-loved event.

“It just feels like we’re just going to gradually fade away, unless we can do something to bring everyone back,” he said.

Mr Bermingham said moving the games, which have historically been held on even years, to 2023 would pit the event up against other major interstate sporting events.

“The big competition for the Alice Springs Masters Games is the Australian Masters Games, and they’ve always occurred in odd years. So we’ve always fitted into that slot,” he said.

“So we’ve got direct competition in a much easier, more accessible state than the Northern Territory in the same year, so it’s a really bad decision.”

He said he believed 2022 would be a “fantastic year” for the event because of the easing of domestic borders and quarantine requirements that have been announced across the country.