Team Cook Islands to the 2023 Pacific Games will hold its uniform blessing and flagbearer announcement on Friday, as it counts down to the regional event in the Solomon Islands, starting later this month.

The uniform blessing and flagbearer announcement will be held at the Rarotonga Golf Club in Nikao at 5pm.

On Saturday, the athletes will take part in a parade starting at 9.30am at the Avarua Harbour to the Punanga Nui Market stage for a short programme

On Sunday, the national team will attend a church service at the St Joseph’s Cathedral in Avarua at 10.30am.

Team Cook Islands chef de mission Mark Short said they are pleased to announce that they have around 230 athletes, including managers and officials, travelling to compete in the Pacific Games in Honiara from November 19 to December 2.

“Many of the Federations that are competing at the Pacific Games including the following; Athletics, Boxing, Swimming, Weightlifting, Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Golf, Netball, Oe Vaka, Rugby, Rugby League, Tennis, Touch Rugby have been working extremely hard to prepare and fundraise as part of their campaign for the games,” Short said.

“It has been challenging because many of our athletes have full time jobs whilst training and looking after their families or young children at the same time.”

Short acknowledged the management and staff at the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC), including president Hugh Graham and all board directors, who have been supportive in the background.

“They have all pooled their resources together to help ensure that all teams are aware of the expectations criteria, policies and rules that needs to be complied with in order to participate at the games. All teams have had regular updates in order to meet the eligibility and accreditation criteria in order to compete and attend the games. They have also been updated on the programme for arrivals and departures, accommodation, transportation, laundry, dining halls, competition venues, training venues, the opening and closing parade, health clinics, security and many other items relating to the games.

“In addition, all athletes and officials including coaches and managers have to sign a code of conduct and other agreements to ensure that those who will compete will represent the Cook Islands to a high standard in a professional way.”

Short said the Team Cook Islands uniform launch will be held in partnership with the Minister of Sports on Friday with a blessing and customary ceremony by the House of Ariki, followed by a parade in the centre of town on Saturday morning and culminating with a church service on Sunday.

“All of these projects have been supported and endorsed by the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Minister of Sports, Minister of Culture, and other government ministries through the use of their resources and personnel.

“I hope that Cook Islanders get behind their athletes and sports teams to wish them well and to encourage them in their endeavour to be competitive at the games.

“Often it is easy to ridicule federations and codes that despite trying their best experience moderate outcomes. In reality, we are competing against countries that have more resources than us and this can make it more difficult when other teams have several coaches, are able to compete against other countries in the lead up to the games, and often have sponsorship packages that allow them to train full time in different countries. We don’t have this luxury because we are small, and I hope our people and our country will be mindful of this regardless of the results.”

CISNOC secretary general Owen Lewis said the athletes and federations have poured their hearts into preparation, adding they couldn’t have come this far without the backing of the Government.

Lewis: “On behalf of CISNOC thank you to all our athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, and our Government for getting us into this position.”

“The Pacific Games is our ‘Olympics’, where we have a proud history of success, punching above our weight. Remember the words of the IOC President, Thomas Bach, at the Cook Islands Games 2020 opening ceremony: ‘You don’t have to be a big nation to be a proud sporting nation’.”