Maori setback

By Shailendra Singh

A REQUEST by the New Zealand Maori’s to be in cluded in the 1995 South Pacific Games (SPG) has been knocked back once again. The issue, originally raised in 1981, was more thoroughly discussed and defeated in Apia, Western Samoa in 1983.

Australia and New Zea land are deliberately excluded from the SPG because of concern they may swamp island countries. But recently there had been suggestions to include all Austra lians and New Zealanders to add more prestige to the games.

Supporters of the move say the competition would benefit rather then be detrimental to island athletes, especially with the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. The latest request by the New Zealand Aoteroa Sports Federation was however still voted down 13-9 at the South Pacific Games Council meeting in Papeetee in April, although some countries ab stained. The underlying reason was that participation in the SPG is based on residence in a country without any consideration given to race, creed or

politics.

Said one delegate: “If Maoris are included in the South Pacific Games, there must presumably be a definition of the race. The implications for Hawaii ans, Aborigines, Chinese, Indians, Eur opeans or Micronesians in the Pacific must also be considered.” Some Maori delegates in Tahiti were the same ones who had been pushing the issue in 1983.

They had actually submitted their rec ommendations for amending the games charter to include them even without being members.

The Maoris’ perseverance highlights the question of whether if its now timely that all Australians and New Zealanders be included in the SPG. Discussions in the last 12 months have floated the idea so that racial representation would lapse but its clear there is still some time before before the bigger neighbours will be allowed in. „ Meanwhile, Tahiti is well on its way to hosting the 10th SPG from Angus 2 to 26. Council delegates were taken on a tour to inspect facilities and came away impressed. Tahiti, which also hosted the fourth SPG in 1971, has agreed to host 22 sports. The organising committee agreed to include four other events, namely netball squash, surfing and powerlifting, on the understanding that competitors and officials be limited to 3000. are athled soccer „K. . , • basketball swimming, tennis, boxing,

P'C, bodybuilding, udo, archery,

triathlon volleyba 1, table tennis, under water fishing, cycling, Tae Kwan o, outrigger canoeing, karate, rugby union, shooting and netball. The council has accepted Guam s bid for the 1999 SPG ahead of Western Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. D

Yad Singh

Striding out: Guam at the opening of last year's games