Dear Editor, I have some thoughts on the recent Sports Awards. CISNOC (Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee) doesn’t seem to treasure Cook Islands athletes who have previously represented with pride and helped promote the Cook Islands at international events.

No direct contact is ever made from CISNOC and athletes don’t necessarily feel engaged. Would it be difficult to create a database of those athletes and their supporters who receive invitations to these types of events. Call it a CISNOC Alumni. Some would even make interesting guest speakers as they have varied other life skills and accomplishments. 

I know for a fact that previous Olympians were in Rarotonga last weekend and didn’t find out until the last minute that the awards were even on and by then had other commitments.
Facebook posts are not enough to reach everyone or entice one to purchase a ticket.

(Name and address supplied)


I agree with disappointed sport fan that the CISNOC sports awards were boring. Tables were empty or half full if you weren’t part of the ABC club at the top tables who could see. Athletics, aquatics, beach volleyball, badminton and canoeing you were down another level so you couldn’t see anyone with rugby and league.
There were awards given not in the programme so you had no idea what was happening. You only saw four nominees write up instead of the full six.

Plus, why is Hugh Graham speaking as president? He had to stand down as he had done his term. Romani (Katoa) was the interim we were told at the AGM. Why is Owen Lewis speaking when he is no longer with CISNOC, his daughter is the new secretary general for CISNOC and she didn’t say anything.

First the AGM now the sports awards, not a great start for the new management at CISNOC.

Disappointed
(Name and address supplied)

Editor’s note – A right of reply email was sent to CISNOC secretary general Keziah Lewis and president Hugh Graham.