‘Auckland will mark rebirth of Games’

Press, 9 October 1987, Page 38

‘Auckland will mark rebirth of Games’

PA Auckland Auckland in 1999 will mark the rebirth of the Commonwealth Games, a Canadian sports official predicts. The official, Mr Ken Porter, said after a fourday visit to Auckland that much work remained for the 1999 event. However, he said he would take positive re-

ports about the organisers* progress and ability to Canada, which is bidding for the 1994 Games. Mr Porter said that last year’s Edinburgh Games, hit by a boycott, financial shortfalls and bad weather, were considered “a bit of a downer.** “Now, after what I have seen, I am sure the 1999 Games will mark a rebirth.** Mr Porter, a technical consultant to Canada’s Ministry of Sport, said he was not worried about the “inevitable** concern over Games venue funding. “I do not know a Games that has not had some sort of controversy whirling around the capital side of the programme, ** he said. He said that clearly the funding problems had to be resolved soon by central and local govern,ment

“But when New Zealand has taken on challenges like this in the past it has always come through and I do not see any reason for anything other than a good Job here in 1999“

Mr Porter said he had been highly impressed with venues like Mt Smart Stadium and the Henderson swimming centre. The planned 399-house Games village would be superior to the campus village accommodation at recent games.