Team Cook Islands is all excited and looking forward to the much-anticipated official opening ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games this morning.

The XXII Commonwealth Games will get underway this morning (8am Cook Islands time) in Birmingham, United Kingdomwith the official opening ceremony.

National bowlers Aidan Zittersteijn and Nooroa Mataio will be leading Team Cook Islands as its co-flagbearers at the ceremony.

Team Cook Islands chef de mission John Paul Wilson said they were all in great spirits at the Commonwealth Games Village at Warwick University.

“All our athletes and officials have arrived with the exception of our athletics contingent,” Wilson said yesterday.

“It’s great to see our athletes really living true to our Cook Islands nature by being focused on training but also sharing the love and hospitable nature our people are so well known for across the globe.”

The national team comprise of Alex Beddoes (athletics); Wesley Roberts, Kirsten Fisher Marsters, Bede Aitu and Lanihei Connolly from swimming; Alexander Kairua, Phillip Jim, Aidan Zittersteijn, Jason Lindsay, Royden Aperau, Emily Jim, Teokotai Jim, Nooroa Mataio, Tiare Jim and Matapa Puia from bowling, boxers Michael Schuster and Tawhiri Toheriri and weightlifter Manine Lynch.

Wilson said: “We have many who are attending their first Commonwealth Games so it’s going to be a very proud and emotional moment for our team as we walk the opening ceremony (this morning).”

“We look forward to Friday with lawn bowls and boxing our first athletes to begin their events.”

Having first attended the Commonwealth Games in 1974 the Cook Islands did not compete again in the Games until 1986 in Edinburgh, the same year their National Olympic Committee was formally recognised. Since then they have taken part in every Commonwealth Games. Their team at Glasgow 2014, the last Commonwealth Games hosted in United Kingdom (in Scotland), competed in athletics, lawn bowls, rugby sevens and weightlifting. The 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held from July 28 to August 8.