A few turn up

Saturday 4: Athletes must has been too busy training for their games this week as only a few athletes made an appearance at yesterday’s Cook Islands Games opening ceremony.

Just four teams made the effort to be part of the opening ceremony including a handful of enthusiastic athletes representing Aitutaki, Mangaia, Rakahanga/Manihiki and a team from Puaikura who were charged with the event’s entertainment.

While the lack of athletes raised a few eyebrows, the comment made by one person was that other teams might be too busy training for the games or have some sort of ‘secret weapon’ athlete that they didn’t want anyone to know about.

The opening was short and sweet with the games being opened by prime minister Jim Marurai while the games flame was carried into Te Atukura grounds by 2008 junior sportsman of the year Daniel Tutai from Aitutaki. The cauldron was lit by Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin.

Despite the small gathering for the games opening it is predicted that the sports matches will be hot and action packed. - Matariki Wilson