Village pride on the line

The traditional Kumete Sports Round Rarotonga cycle race will be held on Saturday, June 4 before the main day of athletics events is held on Queens Birthday, Monday 6.

The annual inter-village athletics competition has generated small numbers in past years and this year Athletics Cook Islands is urging people to come out and run, throw and jump for village pride.

Athletes earn points from taking part and placing in various athletics events on the day and the village with the highest total will win the Kumete Sports trophy.

Due to the low numbers at last years event Avatiu-Nikao, Tupapa, Takuvaine won the Kumete Trophy under the combined Vaka Te Au O Tonga banner.

The Kumete Sports day is an inter-village competition and everyone is encouraged to take part.

Athletic events will be run in the open men and women, master men and women (35 and over), under 9 boys and girls and under 14 boys and girls divisions.

The opening of the Kumete Sports day will start with a prayer at 8.45am on Monday before athletes take to the track and field at 9am.

Track and field events include high jump, 100m sprints, discus, 3000m race, 200m sprints, long jump, shot put, 1500m race, 60m dash, 800m, javelin, 100m relay and the ever popular tug-o-war.

The days event is expected to wrap up around 2.30pm.

The round Raro race on Saturday, June 4 will start from Avarua at 3.30pm on the Maire Nui Drive and the athletics competition will be run at the BCI Stadium.

For more information on the days programme contact the Athletics Cook Islands office on 23233. If you want to get involved and represent your village at the Kumete Sports day contact your village leader or sports coordinator.