Cook Is. hosting

the mostest

Not a soul is able to relax in the Cook Islands this year for not only are they hosting the South Pacific Forum meeting of regio nal prime ministers in August but they are also providing the venue for the 1985 South Paci fic Mini Games. At least 16 countries are expected to attend, bringing almost 900 competitors.

Hugh Henry, chairman of the organising committee, and one of the sons of the late Cook Islands premier, Albert Henry, takes the event with utmost seriousness. He looks upon the mini games as a valuable prom otion for sports of all kinds in his country; one which will, he hopes, greatly expand the

range of sporting events in the Cooks.

He quotes one of his father’s axioms: “No one in the family is forgotten. No one in the tribe is left out.”

Everyone, he says, should have the opportunity as an individual or as a team member to develop in a chosen sport.

Hugh is also very enthusiastic about the concept of a mini games. “Many countries in the Pacific cannot afford the facili ties needed to host a full South Pacific Games,” he said. “But many can, and will, wish to stage the mini games.”

The main venue of the tournament will be the national stadium built on a fine site surrounded by colorful hills at Tereora College, in Rarotonga.

There, new facilities, including a grandstand providing 1000 seats, will be ready in time for the August games. The stadium will be used for athletics events.

Netball will be held on two new courts nearby.

The arena, plus access roads and other facilities, cost NZ51,400,000.

Football will be played at Raemaru Park, and tennis will be on some new courts built nearby this facility.

Lawn bowls is a major sport in several Pacific countries and particularly in the Cook Islands.

Tutakimoa offers 12 fine rinks and these will be the centre of enormous public interest during

the games.

Victor Carell.