The 2022 Cook Islands Games got underway yesterday afternoon with the Lawn Bowls teams dressed proudly in their respective islands’ uniforms starting off the first round of the competition.

Emcee Tereapii Urlich welcomed the 10 participating island teams onto the Rarotonga Bowling Club green for the opening address by president of Cook Islands Bowls, Unakea Kauvai OBE.

Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee secretary general Owen Lewis delivered a welcoming speech followed by an address from the Oceania World Bowls representative, Brett O’Riely.

Cooks Islands Commonwealth Bowls representative Emily Jim read the Oath of the Athletes and Douglas Tatuava Tou read the Oath of the Officials.

Over 120 bowlers will participate over the next three weeks in the event.

“We are excited to be a big sport in this year’s Games with eight medals up for grabs in the men’s and ladies singles, pairs, triples and fours,” said Cook Islands Bowls’ Jason Lindsay

Due to the size of the sport and the number of disciplines played, the Bowls committee had requested an earlier start. The 2022 Cook Islands Games will officially open this Friday.

All but two of the 2022 Cook Islands Commonwealth Games bowling team members are competing. Royden Aperau and Emily Jim are unable to compete as they head off to represent the Cook Islands at the New Zealand U26 Singles Championships in Christchurch this weekend.

The Lawn Bowls competition will be held Tuesday to Saturday each week culminating in a grand medal ceremony for all events on Friday, October 14 at 5.30pm.