way doesn't

The Pacific way doesn't win medals

From a Christchurch correspondent Two medals, a silver and a bronze, were all that five countries from the Pacific Islands could win at the Com monwealth Games in Christchurch.

Both these medals went to Western Samoans—a silver to Paul Wallwork, who was second in the weightlifting light-heavyweight division, and a bronze to Vai Samu, who reached the semi-finals of the heavyweight boxing.

The reasons for this lack of suc cess, although winning is not every thing, and the Games were reported as being a particularly happy event, were probably threefold: Lack of regular strong competition, the Pacific way of life and lack of coaches.

Except for very small entries in the Olympic Games, and little larger entries in Commonwealth Games, competition for Pacific Islanders is restricted to their own Games.

Captain Stan Brown, manager of the Fiji team, said close contact daily with world-class athletes, impressed on the Fiji team the amount of dedication necessary to become a top sportsman or sportswoman.

The Pacific Islands way of life, generally easygoing, does not provide the spur a sportsman needs to reach world class.

In spite of the lack of success, several islanders received a very good press in New Zealand. One of these was Sanitesi Latu, of Tonga. If he did not win a medal he won the hearts of thousands who watched the track and field events, particularly the gruelling decathlon. He came sth in a field of 16, a remarkable feat for a young man in only his second decathlon.

Two Tongan shooters also attracted attention. Until the games, army sergeants Sesimani Fenukitau and Ha’anga’ana Tau had never shot over more than 30 yards, on the army rifle range, which was laid out only in 1973. Their marksmanship over 600 yards amazed experienced riflemen.

Papua New Guinea featherweight boxer, Steve Meta, made the weight for his fight just before the weigh-in.

Ten minutes before he was due to step on the scales he was 100 grams (between three and four ounces) overweight. No-one could find a skipping rope, but there was a long piece of string available, and using

that as a rope, and wearing three plastic coats, he shed the 100 grams.

Team-mate Bernard Kondeng, who won a bronze medal at the 1970 Games in Edinburgh, was not so fortunate. He was H lb over at the weigh-in and was disqualified. He was the correct weight the day before.

The sudden jump was put down to a big meal on the eve of the weigh-in.

Most of the Islands swimmers did well, while lacking the polish of com petitors from metropolitan countries.

Boxers, weight-lifters, wrestlers and competitors in other events were deficient in technique, which is not a difficult problem to overcome with proper coaching and regular com petition.

This much seems certain.—Those who gained much experience at Christchurch will be forces to be reckoned with at the 1975 South Pacific Games in Guam.

The Games attracted a number of VIPs from the Islands, among them Fiji Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Tonga Prime Minister, Prince Tuipelehake, Western Samoa Prime Minister, Mr Mataafa, and Western Samoa Head of State, Malietoa Tanu malili 11. It took the Games to induce the last-named to make his first official visit to a foreign country since Western Samoa became indepen dent in January 1962.