MICRO. CUP 2007.
While there is not yet an actual "CUP" for this Oceania sub-regional competition, it was obvious from our informal meeting that it will be enthusiastically supported. This will be the third of these bi-ennial matches and in 2007 the hosts will be Guam TFA. The dates were agreed as December 14 - 16. Although two days fewer than the 2005 version, this should give time for a full programme. With the four States of FSM again competing as one team, many of the events could be straight Finals, with only seven countries participating. The LOC in Guam seems confident that enough funding will be available to enable reasonable teams from all Micronesia countries to participate.
VISAS.
For the teams from Nauru and Kiribati this will again entail a stopover in Majuro (RMI) to have our U.S. visa applications processed. This involves additional expense with hotels and food, in addition to the US$ 100 for each visa ! Nevertheless we hope to have an adequate team in Guam and again show that Kiribati is a power in the sub-region !
ROBIN IS OUR SUB-REGIONAL LEADER !
Enough of the Micronesia countries have been impressed by the emergence of Robin (Sapong) Eugenio (CNMI) to support his nomination as the new OAA Council representative from Micronesia for him to be successful in the election. (In the group photo with Lamine, he is the shortest male member on the far side !) During gaps in the Development Seminar which followed the Congress, we had several Micro. meetings and co-operatively shared our opinions on a number of matters.
In welcoming Robin, we should not forget to thank Ms. Laura Mangham (Palau) who has been the Micro. rep. for the last four years.
NEW VOICES !
One of the main features of this long weekend was the encouraging willingness of the islanders to express themselves and not, as before, sit in the background with their mouths shut ! They all spoke with clarity and passion for the sport and showed that the expertise is not limited to Australia and New Zealand, albeit at a different level. But, as was pointed out by several of the main speakers, to be a "world-class coach" you don't have to be coaching "world-class athletes" !
We look forward to this trend increasing and adding to the number of islanders invited to give major or minor presentations to the next Congress and Seminar in 2009.
Last Modified on 20/02/2007 23:00