Chairman John Bezett holds no fears for the future of the
Masters Games despite the event losing its major sponsor and
suffering a 15% drop in numbers this year.
The 2010 Games finished in Dunedin last night with a closing
ceremony attended by Otago swimming great Danyon Loader.
It is now an event without a major sponsor, following ACC's
withdrawal after 10 years, but Mr Bezett said the New Zealand
Masters Games Trust was confident of finding a major
financial supporter before next year's Games in Wanganui.
"We were aware some time ago that ACC was pulling out and we
have been working with a number of possible sources," Mr
Bezett said.
"We are confident of getting another naming rights sponsor
soon."
The four Dunedin members of Parliament were at the opening of
the Games last week and indicated to Mr Bezett they would
assist in procuring a new major sponsor.
"We also have a good relationship with Sparc and hope that
they will look favourably on our request for further
funding," Mr Bezett said.
"This is too big a movement to let fall over because we don't
have a naming rights sponsor."
About 6000 competitors attended the Masters Games this year,
down from about 7000 two years ago.
Economic factors and the presence of the World Masters Games
in Sydney only four months ago have been pinpointed as
reasons for the drop.
The New Zealand Masters Games were first held in Wanganui in
1989 and 1991.
Dunedin's first Games were in 1992 and the event has been
held in Wanganui and Dunedin on alternate years since.
This pattern will continue until at least 2017.
An economic impact report is being prepared.
Mr Bezett said the financial benefit to the city was
estimated to be more than $5 million.
alistair.mcmurran@odt.co.nz
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