MP says nothing wrong with CISNOC

Vaipae and Tautu member of parliament Mona Ioane has thrown his hat into the ring of debate about the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC).

Ioane attended a special general meeting of the organisation on Tuesday evening, as a voting member on behalf of Aitutakis island sports association.

He took exception to criticism of CISNOC president Sir Geoffrey Henry who is currently the speaker of parliament and of other executive board members.

Calls at the meeting for CISNOC executives to resign because of alleged poor performance and management in the last three years were challenged by Ioane.

He highlighted the fact that vocal triathlon member and current board opponent Geoff Stoddart was invited to join the board earlier this year at CISNOCs annual general meeting, but declined.

Ioane says if Stoddart wants to shoot his mouth off about board members, he should put himself in their shoes.

If hes willing to help move CISNOC he should have accepted the job given to him. I want you (Sir Geoffrey) to stay on the board, and if theres any mess, clean it up.

Ioane went further at the meeting, discounting the notion that CISNOC is troubled.

But for me, I dont see any mess. Where is the mess?

Youve gone to Noumea and come back where is the mess?

Those comments drew both laughter and anger from the majority of those at the meeting.

Calls of are you serious? could be heard amongst the crowd.

Stoddart responded by saying he is semi-retired, has other positions to fulfil, and does not want to accept a fulltime job.

He also refuses to be part of CISNOCs board as it currently stands, because he is unwilling to work with certain members including Sir Geoffrey.