FILLING THE GAP.
Since early 2011 there has been no specialist Jumps coach assisting KAA athletes. It is true that Boitu Baiteke broke the MTJ National Record (NR) with 13.90m. in 2011 and set a new NR in MPV of 2.10m. in 2013. Also David Birati broke his own MHJ NR with 1.95m. in 2015. But these are established performers. So from where will KAA find the next generation of international class jumpers ?
THE PROBLEMS.
One of the problems in trying to develop quality jumpers is the poor state of the facilities on which they have to practice. The landing area for horizontal jumps at the National Stadium has virtually disappeared in the invading grass (see image). The modern HJ needs adequate matting but it has not been maintained and is in a state of disrepair. Also the surfaces used for HJ take-off are unreliable. So how are the athletes meant to make progress ?
The other main problem is the emphasis by teachers and coaches on running skills. Maybe they lack confidence in promoting and improving the technical events (jumps, throws and hurdles) but, for KAA athletes, in those lie their best chances of international success.
ROLE OF "RUN ! JUMP ! THROW !"
When he visited Tarawa in February this year (see earlier story), David distributed copies of the 'IAAF Teaching Bible' called "Run ! Jump ! Throw !" to the six main Senior High Schools and the three Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) on Tarawa. If the staff at those schools have the humility and courage to use those books, there is a possibility that the standards in the technical events - which have been stagnating - will again begin to rise.
ROLE OF 'KIDS' ATHLETICS'. (See image of Skills list.)
At the end of 2015 an IAAF 'Kids' Athletics' competition was successfully held on North Tarawa. Extending this initiative, KAA intends to have a number of similar competitions on South Tarawa in 2016. While he was visiting the twelve Primary Schools on Tarawa in February, David gave all of them information about these competitions and facilitated demonstrations of some of the skills which will be needed by the Primary teams. Included in these skills is a range of runs, jumps, throws, and hurdles. The same list was given and demonstrated to the current course of P.E. teachers in training at the Kiribati Teachers' College (KTC), since the Ministry of Education will send them to a range of Primary Schools in all the outer islands of Kiribati. It is intended that one effect of this KTC promotion is that, once they arrive in post, the teachers will organise their own 'Kids' Athletics' competitions. Thus it is hoped that the interest of their young athletes will be suitably stirred and subsequently that those athletes are given the chance to progress in all those events !
ADDING TO THE SOLUTION ?
The fact that Oceania AA has provided an IAAF CECS Level 3 Jumps course is well-timed to help Kiribati. The fact that two KAA coaches are due to attend gives hope for the future. So when Mr. Samasoni Nakala (Assistant Secretary of KAA) and Mr. Koubwere Moulongo fly to Fiji to join the course from June 28th. to July 5th., they need to grasp this opportunity. (See images of Samasoni at JSS TUC2) On their return a cascade of their new-found expertise is vital.
Update July 2016. Both Samasoni and Koubwere passed their course. Now the KAA jumps athletes have a chance to progress.
But urgent work needs to begin to upgrade the track and field facilities and equipment at the National Stadium or the current situation will continue to obstruct progress. Plus a broader mindset among the teachers and coaches, since most of the competing athletes are still of school age.
Last Modified on 26/01/2017 10:49