It has been dubbed the Austerity Games. Hard economic times have forced organisers of the New Zealand University Games to cut costs.
The chairman of the organising committee, Geoff Simons, said the entry fee had been cut from $100 to $50 to enable more students to take part.
''The last time it was called the Austerity Games was straight after Word War 2, in the late 1940s,'' Simons said.
He said that Voluntary Student Membership legislation has affected university sport.
''New Zealand University Sport has no paid employers and we have been forced to cut costs,'' Simons said.
There was a danger that the annual games would not be held this year because of the economic problems.
''But we wanted it to continue and decided to stage the games,'' Simons said.
The austerity nature of the games has stretched to the podium. To keep the costs down no medals will be presented.
The winners will receive a small rock taken from the Waitaki River with a silver fern on it.
''Most people put medals in a drawer and forget about them,'' Simons said.
''In 10 years' time the rock will still be on the mantelpiece.''
It is the third time this century that the New Zealand University Games has been held in Dunedin. They were held in the city in 2001 and 2004.
There will be 500 students from around the country, competing in eight sports.
Five sports will be held at Logan Park: tennis, touch, ultimate frisbee, hockey and bowls.
Basketball and netball will be held at the Edgar Centre and badminton at Badminton Hall.
The three day University Games starts on Monday and ends on Wednesday.
At a glance
Dates: Monday, April 22 to Wednesday, April 24.
Sports and venues: Logan Park (hockey, ultimate frisbee, bowls, touch, tennis); Edgar Centre (netball, basketball); Badminton Hall (badminton).
Competitors: 500.
Last time in Dunedin: 2004.
