Weightlifters not worried by crisis

The Team Cook Islands weightlifting crew will continue its pre-Pacific Games training regimen despite the uncertainty linked with CISNOCs financial calamity.

Mata Pera, the Cook Islands Weightlifting Federation secretary-general, says she and the federation have no doubt the Cook Islands will participate in the 2011 Pacific Games, which will kick off in New Caledonia on Saturday, August 27.

Mata said the federation would not let CISNOCs woes interrupt its training schedule, and believed the government would not allow Team Cook Islands to be denied its participation in the Games at this late stage.

I think the government will come up and save the country if it has to. It will hurt the Cook Islands reputation if it does not, Mata said yesterday.

Were all thinking positive and looking forward to the Pacific Games.

Three lifters will compete for the Cook Islands the Auckland-based Luisa Peters, Sam Pera Jnr and his younger brother Sirla Pera, who is currently in China competing in a university competition.

Mata said all three were ranked highly in the Pacific and all were aiming to make an appearance on the podium.

Were not worried with the headlines. The kids are still training to get to the Pacific Games and come home with medals, she said.