Team Cook Islands named

A 49-member Team Cook Islands has been named to attend the Delhi Commonwealth Games next month.

The Delhi Commonwealth Games will be held between October 3 and 14.

The team formally announced yesterday includes 31 athletes competing in athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, netball, tennis and weightlifting, plus officials and administrators.

The team will be led by chef de mission George George and general team manager George Hosking.

During the official announcement of the team yesterday afternoon at the CISNOC office, CISNOC president Sir Geoffrey Henry announced that the Delhi Commonwealth Games organising committee will cover the airfares, accommodation and food cost of every Team Cook Islands athlete and official.

Raffle tickets are currently on sale to raise funds to cover the costs of the teams travelling uniforms and insurance although each code must take care of organising and purchasing their own competition uniforms.

This Wednesday September 15 – all code team managers are called to a meeting at the CISNOC office at 12pm with chef de mission George George.

On Friday September 17 all codes will be able to pick up team travelling uniforms from the CISNOC office.

A team church service will be held at the Nikao CICC church on Sunday September 19 prior to the team’s departure on Sunday September 26.

After the announcement of athletes and officials, Sir Geoffrey said to the handful of athletes at yesterday’s gathering that they had effectively selected themselves into the team.

“In a sense you have selected yourselves into the team by virtue of your hard training and meeting the standards required,” said Sir Geoffrey.

“It is now up to you to make that total commitment and carry the flag of our small nation.” Team Cook Islands management are George George Williamson (chef de mission), George Hosking (general team manager), Siniva Marsters (team administration), Rangiau Fariu (team doctor), Charleen Silcock (team physio), Paul Aitu (team physio), Ariane Whareaitu-Carroll (team physio) and Matariki Wilson (team media).

Team athletes and officials are: athletics – Patricia Taea, Tiraa Arere Jnr, John Teiti (team official), boxing – Mathew Titoa, Jubilee Arama, Navy Epati (team official), Tom Marsters (team official), lawn bowls – Matangaro (Irene) Tupuna, Tangata (Mou) Tokorangi, Ngatungane (Nane) Tere Porea Elisa, Teokotai Rahui (Tai) Jim, Mata (Kanny) Vaile, Denis Tokorangi, Tupou Okirua Farapotea, Kairua Takai, Vaine Henry, Ioane (Vou) Ina Tou, Munokokura (Peter) Pita, Anna Kairua (team official), Nelson Akava (team official), netball – Poomaikelani Matapo, Eleanor Taputu-Crombie, Luciana Matenga, Melissa Pittman, Celeste Brunton, Holly Solomona, Ritua Ali’iva’a, Paula Te Huna, Curly George, Patricia (Patty) Te Huna, Noeline Davida, Ngatokorua Ellis Tuitupou, Lynette Alison Hagai (team official), Patricia Jean (PJ) Hockin (team official), Ngatokoa Gifford (coach/team official), Gareth Kenneth Rapson (team official), tennis – Brittany Teei, weightlifting – Luisa Peters, Sirla Pera and Sam Pera Snr (team official).

The nation’s sole tennis player will be supported by chef de mission George George who will also act as team official.

The team is expected to be in India for three weeks and will be joined at the games by Sir Geoffrey and CISNOC secretary general Rosie Blake.

The two officials are guests of the Delhi Commonwealth Games organising committee and are expected to be the lead supporters of Team Cook Islands.