The power of sport was the main theme at the opening of the two-day Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) symposium yesterday.

New Zealand International Olympic Committee member, Barry Maister, highlighted the ‘culture’ of a national Olympic committee to the group of 80 participants at the symposium opening.

He said the Cook Islands is one of the strongest sporting nations in the Pacific.

“I personally believe that the Cook Islands is one of the strongest sporting nations in the Pacific based on the number of sports contested and played in the country and the number of sporting facilities you have,” Maister said.

“Sport is about making people. We are in the business of growing people through the power of sport.” The two-day symposium will end today with the completion and delivery of the CISNOC 2012-2016 strategic plan.

Maister highlighted some of the values and visions the New Zealand Olympic Committee captures in its plan.

“The New Zealand Olympic Committee plan is one page long – it’s not a book that will just sit on the shelf,” says Maister.

“The plan should capture dreams, visions and intensions of the NOC. If it’s not – you are missing the boat.”

Maister spoke about what the New Zealand NOC culture is based on.

“We sat down and chose very carefully the words that would best describe our culture – excellers, passionate, inspirational, celebrators, leaders, educators, values driven and inclusive.

“Sport has great examples of people who’ve reached excellence in their sport which non-sports people can apply to their own lives.”

Maister added that sports and education is a powerful mix and is something that the New Zealand NOC places a lot of emphasis on.

“We want to inspire through sports. Sports development is not just about sending people away to games.

“So what is the CISNOC culture shaped by?” Maister asked.

“CISNOC is shaped by the attitude of government towards sports and the NOC, the relationship it has with athletes, coaches, boards and staff. “It is also shaped by the strategic plan and Olympic charter.”

Maister was to play a key role in the 9 working groups that will discuss a number of key topics about sports from tourism and venues to high performance and government support.

He will be joined by Chairman of Christchurch City Holdings Bruce Irvine who spoke about the business of sport.

The symposium will continue today with the working groups coming together for more discussion at 8 o’clock.

Roberts gets meeting moving, page 16