SECRETARY GOES HOME !
The Secretary of Kiribati Athletics Association, David Little, has returned to U.K. after 14 years of living, teaching, coaching, and trying to help generally in Kiribati. This decision was made after he had suffered a second internal infection of his "metal" knee in less than a year. The infection experienced in November 2010 was partially cleaned up by an orthopaedic team from Australia which happened to be visiting Kiribati as part of their regular aid to the local medical authorities. That timing was very fortunate for David. who was encouraged by the Australians to "get on the next plane" to go somewhere to complete the treatment. He went to U.K. and was put on strong anti-biotics but little more surgery. He returned briefly to Tarawa to clean up and hand over. Having achieved that, he left Tarawa on Feb. 01, 2011. It seems unlikely that he will return to Tarawa any time soon !
WHAT OF THE FUTURE ?
So what does the future hold for K.A.A. ? They have to replace members of the Executive who have died, left, had a baby, or had to be disciplined ! Once that is done, since the ex-Secretary and current President have completed the I.A.A.F. Annual Report Form for 2010 (needed to ensure IAAF funding in 2011), they can get on with planning the essential calendar for 2011.
They will need to prepare a team for the new-look sub-Regional Championships (Oceania West and East) in Samoa in June. It will be a challenge to obtain medals there ! Then later in the year there are the three other major meetings, in Noumea (Pacific Games), South Korea (World Championships), and Isle of Man (Commonwealth Youth Games). They will need to debate whether or not to send an athlete to the World Youth Championships. Domestically, they have the KAA Championships (probably in May), and World Athletics Days (Also in May). So the new administrators will be busy !
THERE IS THE TALENT !
Without any doubt, improving standards (e.g. Inter-School and National Records) in the last 14 years have shown that the raw talent is there. However, they need to build a stronger base of qualified coaches - although there should be a nucleus of people on most outer islands who have done a Basic Athletics course with KAA. A witness to this is the entry of 14 island teams in the Inter-Island "Runga" last year. By now there should be enough willing people, in the schools and elsewhere, who want to maintain a strong Association which will continue to build the sport in Kiribati. Training is now accepted by many as a year-round regimen, if athletes and coaches are serious about making progress and pushing for new PBs !
So it is to be hoped that encouraging news will continue to travel to U.K. to gladden David's heart !
Last Modified on 15/02/2011 10:19