“When the flag is raised the war is on…” an appropriate quote from chef de mission George (George) Williams recalling a Mauke athlete travelling overseas for the first time.
From Pastor Bobby Matapo, words of encouragement extracted from the bible, saying from where you are now look to your future, be disciplined, do the hard work and if you are part of a team the burden will be lightened.
With the Cook Islands flag fluttering in the breeze principal Ani Piri welcomed Team Cook Islands into the school which will be their home for the duration of the games. Tauta, tauta, rai as she likened the schools’ welcome to the school motto Ume ia te marokura – aim for the highest achievement, aim for excellence – Go For Gold.
Without missing a step, the Chef de Mission reminded all that Ani Piri nee Kave was an excellent and top athlete and later a great coach.
In eight days this will be our home and we can’t thank you enough for your one hundred per cent encouragement and support, he said.
The Cook Islands games village will accommodate all 250 or so athletes and officials. With this number of people to transport to different venues the first week of the games is going to be a very busy one for the support services.
Athletes have to be transported to their venues and then returned to the village. Although their designated dining room is at the Titikaveka CICC Sunday School hall, there are athletes who have late competitions and may have to take their meals at the nearest venue. All this has to be factored in to transport availability.
Atiu volunteers have been helping to put the beds together although as of yesterday there were still some beds being assembled by the Piri brothers.
The remaining mattresses were delivered as the flag raising ceremony was in progress.
The students were encouraged by their principal, after cleaning their empty classrooms, to catch the school bus to the Punanga Nui to the Maeva Nui parade and for her teachers to follow suit if their classrooms were tidy, ready for the proper cleaners to get to work.
All schools closed for the end of term on Friday afternoon.