Discussion became heated early on at the special general meeting of the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) last night.

About 90 people attended the meeting, held in Takuvaines AOG church hall from 4.30pm.

The first hour was riddled with attempts by various sports federation members predominantly from tennis and triathlon to control proceedings.

With CISNOC president Sir Geoffrey Henry grappling for power, little actual business was conducted in that time.

There was debate about how the meeting should be run, how voting should take place, and what was in line with the organisations constitution.

Triathlon led a motion for Sir Geoffrey to be stripped of the role as meeting chairman, due to his alleged bias and predetermination. That motion was never quite addressed and Sir Geoffrey retained the microphone.

A mixed bag of vote recordings resulted from the ensuing confusion.

Some people stood, others raised their hands, and certain people missed the count.

By one vote, the motion to vote on agenda items by secret ballot failed, according to Sir Geoffrey. That angered code representatives, 18 of the 24 present supported secret ballot voting.

Tension and frustration became more apparent and one CISNOC member stood to address the meeting, saying infighting is destroying the organisation and an approach by some members is not proving helpful. By 6pm, all ten pre-circulated agenda items remained on the to-do list. It was even unclear whether that agenda would be honoured.

As well as national sports federation members, those present included audit director Paul Allsworth, internal affairs secretary Bredina Drollet, and New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands John Carter.

Drollet is now an advisor to CISNOCs executive board and a member of the All Sports Commission, Sir Geoffrey says.

With Sir Geoffrey on the board and fronting yesterdays meeting was Ina Marsters, George George, George Paniani Chris Foster and Teina Taulu.

New CISNOC treasurer Dan OBrien also took his place at the boards table. After the meeting was opened by a prayer, sports minister Mark Brown briefly took the opportunity to address the majority of those involved in Cook Islands sports at the one time.

He says a review of the accounts in respect of the 2008 Pacific Mini Games is still underway, as are arrangements for the use of national sporting assets.

As acting secretary general (Rosie Blake is in the Caribbean), Paniani took a roll call.

Not represented were the federations of darts, golf and taekwondo, as well as the island sports associations of Aitutaki, Atiu, Manihiki and Rakahanga.

In total, 23 federations and six island associations were present to vote, enabling a quorum of 38 votes.

Sir Geoffrey asked for a show of hands on whether local media should be asked to leave the meeting, but the majority supported a presence on behalf of the public.

Cook Islands News was the only media present.

CINews will publish a full report of CISNOCs meeting and the fallout in tomorrows edition.