Ghosts of games past haunt organisers

Press, 17 December 1985, Page 44

Ghosts of games past haunt organisers

PA Auckland The ghosts of the 1950 Empire Games and the 1974 Commonwealth Games are causing problems for the organisers of the 1990 event, according to the chairman of the organising committee, Mr Joe McManemin. Mr McManemin said yes-, terday that too many people were comparing . the 1990 games in Auckland with games held in New Zealand in the past. “There is a danger in saying ‘in 1950 we did this’,”

said Mr McManemin. He said the organisers of the Edinburgh games next year were having problems with the ghost of 1970, when the games were held in that city. A big difference in the organisation off the 1986 games was that they would be commercial. “Edinburgh is the first city to hold a commercial games and to use advertising signs in the stadium. They are doing a wonderful job holding the candle while

We prepare for a commercial games.” The $25 million needed to run the 1990 games was being raised through sponsorship, said Mr McManemin.

“The trouble is, we talk so much about this capital investment, we are forgetting what the games are all about.”

“In the past few weeks, we have seen backbiting and politicising emanating,” he said. “As a sportsman I won’t get involved in it.”