Facing the Melanesia challenge.
Next month, in Suva, Fiji, Kiribati AA will, for the first time, be involved in the Melanesia Regional Championships. A team of nine athletes will fly to Fiji next month to see how they fare against some of the strongest nations in Oceania. The recent re-organisation of the Oceania Championships for its three Regions (Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia) means that now, every two years, each Region will organise its own internal Championships, rather than have one centralised, usually in Australia.
Previously, since it lies on the edge of both Regions, Kiribati has participated in the Micro version, but for the 2016 Championships has decided to go with Melanesia. In Micronesia they competed against Nauru, Palau, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), the four parts of the Federated States of Micronesia (Kosrae, Chuuk, Yap, and Pohnpei), and Marshall Islands. Against this opposition, and depending on the choice of events entered, KAA could usually guarantee to return home with tangible results (i.e. medals) ! This year they will face the hosts (Fiji), Australia (Development Team ?), New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Norfolk Island, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu. Of these the first five are usually stronger teams than anything they would have competed against in Micro !
So why fly to Fiji ? Maybe it was thought that one flight and a bus (to Suva) would be more reliable, cheaper and quicker than getting to Pohnpei. The latter would involve arranging an intermittent flight to Majuro (Marshall Islands), at least one night stopover there, then a reliable but longer flight to Pohnpei, and a bus to the accommodation.
The Team.
Of the nine athletes, Nei Taatia Riino at 30 is the oldest woman ever to compete in track and field for Kiribati. Being a weight-lifter/power-lifter, she will compete in the Open Shot, Javelin and Discus.
Four of the others will be making their international debuts. These are:- Nei Karitaake Tewaaki (18, in Open sprints), Nei Erimeta Kourabi (also 18, in Open sprints), Mr. Tebwao Tekiau (18, in Open 1500 and 5000), and Mr. Lataisi Mwea (16, in u18HJ and u18LJ). The other four - all boys - have international experience. They are Utiraoi Takaria, Nooa Takooa, John Ruuka, and Enoka Kirata. On a modified entry these will hopefully do the following: Utiraoi (Open 200 and LJ), Enoka (Open 100 and LJ), Nooa and John (Open 100 and 200): and all will go in at least one Relay. Subsequent to these Melanesian Championships (July 7-9), it will be interesting to compare their results with those from similar events in the Micro meeting which was staged on June 3-5.
The team will be accompanied by Nei Kairao Tune (KAA Treasurer) and Nei Monika Konono.
Enoka now in doubt ? Sprinter Enoka has left school and is an Induction student at the Marine Training Centre on Tarawa, training to be a merchant seaman. Unfortunately he is at an early stage of his training and assessment and cannot be released by MTC. Since the team is due to fly to Fiji (Nadi) on Monday (July 4th.) it is unlikely that at this stage any substitute can be found. The problem with that is that KAA will have to pay for the return fare and accommodation which would have been supplied to Enoka. (Update 01/07/16)
Doubts allayed ! An appeal made by KAA Secretary Tekabara Raurenti to the Minister of Employment has resulted in Enoka's temporary release from his course in time for him to travel with the team to Fiji on July 4th. (Update 03/07/16)
RESULTS
(Please double-click on attachment for results.)
Images.
Karitaake (with Tassie); John with Utiraoi and Enoka; Nei Kairao in Glasgow 2014; Nooa at London 2012; three images of girl sprinters in action in Fiji - in red vests.
Last Modified on 26/01/2017 11:13