Background.
On Feb. 19th. 2019, KAA received from Rod McGrath at the Arafura Games organisers in Darwin, Australia, an invitation to send athletes to the re-born Games in April/May this year. Almost daily exchanges of e-mails resulted in the idea, based on their successes at the Micro Games in Yap in July. 2018, of sending a small team of Track athletes together with a pair for Beach Volleyball.
On February 26th., a viable itinerary from Tobaraoi (Kiribati travel agents) was received by KAA and forwarded to Rod and to the Kiribati NOC. Guidance was given to KNOC about obtaining the special (no charge !) visas and what was required. The Arafura organisers offered free accommodation for a likely six travellers. The cost of six return air fares would be covered by an outside sponsor.
Rod and the Games organisers gave KNOC a final deadline of April 5th. In spite of attempted phone calls and e-mails, getting a response from KAA and KNOC has proved virtually impossible.
The currnet situation. At the last minute, Mr. David Collins (Sport Minister and President of KNOC) became involved and gave the project his blessing. The KAA athletes trying to get visas to travel are High Jumper Lataisi Mwea and sprinter Jacob Willy. Their coach would be Samasoni Nakala. (Image) We wait to see the outcome of the various offers of support. Update April 18 2019. Having received no confirmation from KNOC nor KAA, the Arafura organisers cancelled their provisionla bookings for accommodation and event entries. Independent of these exchanges, it is understood that four weight-lifters have been registered for the Games and will travel from their training camp in New Caledonia. The four weight-lifters travelled to Darwin and gained one gold, one silver and two 4th. places. See attached report. Also an outside body was funding four para (disabled) Track athletes, but this arrangement also fell through due to late application for visas ! So Kiribati did have a small, successful delegation there, but will lessons be learned about acting in good time and delegating the necessary tasks to a small group whose members are all aware of working to deadlines. With "Pacific time" being part of the culture, it is a problem for the I-Kiribati !
Last Modified on 01/07/2019 23:43