COMMITMENT BY COMMITTEE !
It always helps to have almost all (8 out of 9) of the Committee at a competition Meeting ! So, by the due start time we were ready. Then we waited for more athletes to arrive ! By 0900 we started the 100m. on the superior, downwind back straight. This was followed by 1500m. races, then by 400m. (This schedule was used to give the sprinters a breather !)
Then on the field we had Triple Jump and Shot.
In between we had refreshments of water and biscuits to prevent dehydration of the officials !
TRIPLE JUMP PROBLEM.
The older board positions on the Football pitch have been there for about ten years. (We have to use the pitch for the approach run.) Lack of rain has meant that the slots become very loose and gradually deeper. Today we had to cut two new places and we are trying to preserve part of the field for major competitions later. The heavy rain last night helped to bind soil and sand together.
SLIGHTLY DISAPPOINTING.
In spite of publicity via newspapers, radio, and distributed posters, the turn-out was rather disappointing - without too many other distractions this Saturday ! A total of 51 athletes took part, more boys than girls. Nine schools were represented, most athletes coming from the main Government school, KGV/EBS. They will be the last school on Tarawa to hold their domestic Inter-Team competition, next week. So this was a golden opportunity for their athletes to get competition experience.
AO KANIWANGA (prizes) !
As we have done before, at the end of the Meeting we had a distribution of the promotional items. The leading competitors received T-shirts and then everyone who participated was given a poster, pin and named certificate. Presenters included first Olympian Kaitinano, 2008-intended Olympian Rabangaki, and athlete Committee member Tekooki. Proceedings were closed with thanks from Tierata (KAA President), then lunch for the hard-working officials and farewell to the hard-working athletes !
WINNING RESULTS. (Athletes born in 1991 or 1992.)
100m. Girls. Teraiman Kabong. 14.6 Boys. Nuati Lotolua. 12.0
1500m. Girls. Taame Temwaka. 6-38.3 Boys. Pikia Biira. 5-16.0
400m. Girls. Teina Tewaaki. 1-18.3 Boys. Taberannang Tauanibure. 1-00.7
Shot. Girls. Mareta Berenato. 8.25m. Boys. Iabeta Taukabwan. 13.57m. (5k.)
Triple Jump. Girls. Aitawa Patteu. 8.63m. Boys. Kiakia Tekambwa. 11.93m.
FURTHER COMMENTS.
For a few more comments and the record from earlier years, please see the "World Athletics Day" section.
Last Modified on 08/05/2008 20:04