Indigenous games postponed a year

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The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) have been delayed a year after the games' governing council ended its relationship with the group that had earned the right to host the games in 2005.

The NAIG council was expected to re-open the bidding to potential hosts after a scheduled three-day meeting in Denver May 13 to 15.

Another group in Buffalo may be awarded the games or it could go to another city.

The decision to postpone the 2005 games for a year was made by the NAIG council on April 23. That came after the council rescinded the hosting rights that had been awarded to the Buffalo Sports Society on March 26. After that, NAIG council president Harold Joseph said three options had been considered. The council pondered whether to go with another host in Buffalo for 2005 with strict guidelines including a performance bond of $1 million, open the bidding back up and have the games in 2006, or take the loss of the games and focus on 2008.

Now that the decision to postpone for a year has been made, preparations across North America will be reconsidered and rescheduled.

Darryl Hill, executive director of the Ontario Aboriginal Sport Circle, said this summer's planned try-outs will more than likely be put off until next summer.

"I've put all Team Ontario preparations on hold at least until after the NAIG meeting next week," he said on May 5.