Athletics Cook Islands will host its annual Kumete Sports Day on Monday at the National Stadium in Nikao.

This year’s event will feature four age categories to cater for the whole family –U13s, U18s, Open and Masters. The Masters starts at 35 and is split into three groups 35-44, 45-54 and 55+.

Athletics Cook Islands president Simone Fe’ao said: “It’s a village competition. Everyone is invited to participate, free entry. It’s a chance for all fitness levels to be involved as well we do use it to scout for raw talent that can be developed.”

“Kumete and Kids Athletics are part of our grassroots programme. From there those who are wanting more can get involved in our development squads and can work to higher level of competition including regional and international competitions.”

Fe’ao said they are also using the event as a trial for the Pacific Games in November.

“We have invited athletes to trial based on results from the last 12 months. There are two trial opportunities – Kumete and 15 June trial.

“Overseas athletes who have been invited to trial are able to use results from recent competitions in their home country as their trial. From this we will select a provisional team for Pacific Games. They will spend the next five months working under the guidance of our national coaches and final squad will be chosen by 30 September.”

No entry fee, bring your family, mat to sit on and some refreshments and come and support your village.

Programme

12:30pm Registration, 12:50pm Pure and welcome, 1:00pm Discus 800m & Discus 800m & Shotput, 1:15pm 200m 200m 200m, 1:45pm Shotput Shotput Long Jump, 2:15pm 100m 100m 100m, 2:30pm Long Jump Long Jump Discus,

3:00pm 400m 400m, 3:30pm 8x50 mixed relay 4x100m mixed 4x100m mixed, 4:00pm Tug O War Tug O War Tug O War, *Relays require 2 females and 2 males, 4.30pm Prizegiving and Closing Prayer.