Kingdom Games

The Kingdom Games ( _nl. Koninkrijksspelen) are a multi-sport event which is held every two years between the youth of the countries that are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As of today these countries are the Netherlands, de Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. Together with creating a sportivity atmosphere, also respect and fraternization are the central themes of the Games. The contact between the countries and their cultures is however the main theme. [ [http://www.koninkrijksspelen.org/2007/index.php?p=84 Kingdom Games] , koninkrijksspelen.org]

For the future there will be a change in the concept of the Kingdom as Curaçao and Sint Maarten will be separate countries at the end of 2008, while Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba will become special communities. It is still unsure how the Kingdom Games will look like at that point.

History of the Games

The first ever Kingdom Games were held in 1965. It was a try to bring the several parts of the Kingdom closer together. In these days these parts were the Netherlands, Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles. In 1975 Suriname became undependant and did no longer take part in the Games. Between 1979 and 1983 the Games were only held between the Netherlands and the Antilles, and after that they were cancelled. [http://www.koninkrijksspelen.org/2007/images/140707persberichtKoninkrijksspelen.pdf Press notification on July 14, 2007] , koninkrijksspelen.org] . In 1995 the Games were refounded by former swimmer and politician Erica Terpstra to bring the youth of the separate countries closer to each other.

Locations of the Games

*1995: Aruba
*1997: Curaçao
*1999: Sint Maarten
*2001: Rotterdam
*2003: Aruba
*2005: Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles
*2007: Den Haag

Popularity

In the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba the Games are popular. In 2005 the Ergilio Hato-stadion in Curaçao was almost sold out during the opening ceremony. It was much less popular in the Netherlands. In 2007 the opening ceremony was not held in a stadium but at the Spuiplein. Still a few thousand people showed up and the events were visited by several hundreds of people daily. [http://www.algemeendagblad.nl Publiekstrekker ontbreekt; interesse voor Koninkrijksspelen in Nederland nooit groot geweest", d.d. 21 July 2007] , algemeendagblad.nl]

Sports

The following sports are on the current schedule of the Games:

* Baseball
* Bowling
* Football
* Judo
* Softball
* Swimming
* Tennis

The strength of the team of the Netherlands is always changed in order to the strength of the other teams, because normally the level of the Dutch team is much higher compared to the other participants. The Dutch normally participate with regional teams or younger sportspeople to close the gap in quality..

External links

* [http://www.koninkrijksspelen.org/ Official website]

References