Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) has received a number of expressions of interest and applications for the Secretary General’s role, says organisation president Hugh Graham.

The role was previously held by Owen Lewis, who took up the Secretary for Education position last month.

Graham says: “I expect that there will be more applications as we get closer to the closing date of receiving applications by the end of the month.”

He said the vacant position was advertised on CISNOC’s Facebook page, Cook Islands Sports, as well as with their National Sporting Federations and Outer Islands Sports Associations.

With the Secretary General’s role vacant, some sporting federations are already looking forward to who will fill the position.

The role was advertised earlier this month, and suggestions on who should take it up include Siniva Marsters Setereki and Jason Lindsay.

Former national athlete Marsters served as acting CISNOC Secretary General before taking up a role with the Oceania National Olympic Committee in Suva, Fiji. Lindsay works for CISNOC administration manager and executive assistant to the Secretary General.

One of the sporting federations says that, like any leadership position, it should be given to someone who does an honest day’s work.

The federation said: “Likes of Siniva Marsters is a person who they should consider. Given her experience in CISNOC and having recently worked in ONOC (Oceania National Olympic Committee).”

“She has a wealth of experience and knowledge. Not only in the administrative aspect but also as a Cook Islands representative/athlete in sport.”

Another sports federation’s representative, who wished to remain anonymous, said that outgoing Secretary General Lewis, who remains in an acting capacity until a new appointment is finalised, would leave “some pretty big shoes” to fill at CISNOC.

“And it would be a challenging role for anyone to take up. I have enjoyed my time working with Owen. He’s honest and does not sugar-coat his words and he got along really well with all federation leaders.”

They said: “I believe CISNOC has already released their job description detailing the requisites of the position and we should respect that and prepare ourselves to support the incoming General Secretary because time is of the essence and Cook Islands Games is just around the corner.”

Lewis resigned from CISNOC on January 18, a day after he was confirmed as the new Secretary for Education.

CISNOC president Graham then said Lewis would remain in an acting position, unpaid, as CISNOC Secretary General until a suitable replacement is found.

According to the vacancy, CISNOC is looking for someone who is dynamic and would be a driving force behind their administrative and operational functions. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s preferred) in a related field, proven experience in sports administration and organisational leadership, excellent communication skills, and an understanding of Olympic principles and the international sports landscape.