Sports funding behind Russian trip

Present and future funding opportunities for Cook Islands sports is one issue Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) treasurer Dan O’Brien will explore when he attends the Association of National Olympic Committees Annual General Meeting in Russia from April 12 to 17.

Minister of sport Mark Brown will also be attending the same series of meetings in Moscow including the 2nd World Olympic Sports Convention.

Joining the pair will be CISNOC administration manager Siniva Marsters who will then attend the London Olympics pre-registration meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland as part of Team Cook Islands final preparations before the games in July.

“The topics to be analysed in all three events are of great importance for the present and the future of the Olympic Movement,” says Marsters.

“Especially the 2nd Convention, which we are sure, will be another step towards increasing and strengthening collaborations between National Olympic Committees and Government, in each country.”

Marsters also explains that CISNOC executive board approved O’Brien’s attendance at the meeting as the topics to be discussed would involve funding opportunities for the Cook Islands.

The main topics to be discussed at all three meetings include:

The development of collaborative public policy linking the benefits of sports to education and health.

Present and Future funding avenues for the 2013 to 2016 Olympiad

Securing and developing sport within the current worldwide economic context

Collaboration between NOCs (national Olympic committees) and Governments in the development of high performance sport.

Protecting and reinforcing the values of sport from the increasing pressures of doping and illegal betting

The development and promotion of youth sport

Sport and the Olympic Movement including attracting and maximizing major events as catalysts for development.

Basis for good cooperation between NOCs and government

After meeting in Switzerland to iron out the final look of Team Cook Islands, Marsters will also conduct site inspections of the training and competition venues for the London Olympics.

The airfares, accommodation and meals for both O’Brien and sports minister Mark Brown will be covered by Association of National Olympic Committees while Marsters’ cost is covered by the Oceania National Olympic Committee.