Efforts are being made to revive the multi-sport event in Darwin, which has not taken place since the 2011 event were abandoned.

Para-sport featured in the 2007, 2009 and 2011 editions of an event which takes its name from the Arafura Sea, which lies between northern Australia and Southeast Asia.

The APC claim that inclusion in a future Arafura Games would aid Para-athletes, coaches and officials.

The APC claim the event would also offer opportunities for Para-sport engagement in classification programmes, talent identification and education for those within the Oceania region.

"The APC is incredibly supportive of the inclusion of Para sport in the Arafura Games programme in 2019, in part due to the significance of the Games to the development of the Paralympic Movement in Oceania" Tim Matthews, APC performance talent and Para sport manager, said.

"We have already seen the benefits of our engagement with the Pacific Islands, with support provided by the APC through the Oceania Paralympic Committee, which in part resulted in Papua New Guinean athlete Francis Kompaon achieving a podium finish at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, to become the first athlete from Papua New Guinea to win a Paralympic or Olympic medal, and just the second Pacific Islander ever."

Matthews added: "Also, among the limitations for the advancement of the Paralympic Movement in Oceania is the lack of athlete participation at international events.

"The potential reintroduction of the Arafura Games to the Para sport programme would mean that there are opportunities for exposure at an international level which equip athletes with the experience they need heading into a Paralympic Games – not to mention the chance to actually qualify for the Paralympic Games at an event such as Arafura."

Matthews had recently returned from Darwin, where he presented recommendations on behalf of the APC to a steering committee.

The three-time Paralympic gold medallist in athletics offered the APC thoughts regarding Para-sports potential inclusion to the Northern Territory Government Committee.

He also made recommendations regarding the structure and timing of the proposed event in 2019.

The APC believe the Games would act as a crucial way of developing elite para-athletes across Oceania, allowing the Pacific Island nations with a better chance to compete at an elite level event.