New headquarters for CISNOC

The spirit of giving and cooperation came to the fore yesterday when the old teachers college in Nikao became the new home of Cook Islands sports.

The lease on the land and building in Tepuka behind the new Ministry of Education building was signed yesterday between the Cook Islands Government Properties Corporation, Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee and the Cook Islands Christian Church as the landowners.

Sports minister Mark Brown was present for the ceremonial handover of the complex, commenting that he was happy to be part of the handover ceremony.

”I’m very happy to be part of handing over this old building for a new cause in housing CISNOC – it has been a long process,“ says Brown.

To Cook Islands Christian Church general secretary Nga Mataio – Brown thanked the church for the spirit in which they had entered the agreement to sign the lease with government and the sports family.

”I thank you for the spirit of cooperation with the government as this new building for CISNOC now means they can get funding available to them from ONOC (Oceania National Olympic Committee) to restore this building to a modern sports headquarters.“

CISNOC will soon receive $165,000 for their ‘Olympic House’ and the staff of the committee and national sports federations are expected to move into the building in two months time.

Brown added that the building was the appropriate location for the national sports body as it was right next to the ministry of education, the Telecom Sports Arena, BCI Stadium and the national college Tereora.

In his speech to the gathered sports family, Mataio encouraged the staff of the national sports body to never forget the Christian values in delivering their work to youth and the community at large.

”This (sport) is one of the important aspects of our life here,“ commented Mataio in Maori.

”The CICC church asks that you remember the Lord when you work to motivate our youth and people – especially at this time where there are big youth issues we are dealing with.“

The current building being occupied by CISNOC in Taputapuatea has been earmarked for the Internal Affairs staff who currently occupy a building in Tupapa.