Athletics Cook Islands is gearing up for several significant events on its domestic calendar, following the successful hosting of the Oceania Athletics Association (OAA) Congress in Rarotonga last week.

The OAA Congress, which took place this past week in Rarotonga, brought together around 60 international delegates and marked the first time the Cook Islands hosted this important regional event.

According to Athletics Cook Islands president Simone Fe’ao, the focus now turns to domestic events, starting with the annual Kumete Athletics.

Kumete Athletics, a traditional inter-village meet, will take place on Monday, June 2, as part of the 60^th Constitution Celebrations, and will include traditional sports for the first time.

Cycling will kick off the Kumete competition with a race on Saturday, May 31, from Matavera Packing Shed at 3pm. Registration will start from 2pm.

Cook Islands Cycling Federation’s Kevin Henderson said the race will be clockwise around the island, starting and finishing at the old Kafe Kokonati.

“Normal road rules apply. Drafting allowed. Helmets are compulsory,” Henderson said.

“The village you are representing, is that which you last lived in for at least three months prior to the race.”

Team and individual points will be up for grabs: 10 points for 1st; 6 for 2nd; 4 for 3rd; 1 each for other participants.

Teams should ideally consist of three cyclists with a 2:1 gender ratio as the top priority. Teams of two will be considered for points after all three-person teams have been allocated.

According to Henderson, the Kumete cycle race will be the first of four races in this year’s CICF road cycling series, which will determine this year’s male and female champions.

“At the end of the series the Male and Female with the most points will be crowned this year's champions.”

Meanwhile, Fe’ao said that later this year, the National Youth, Open and Masters Championships will be combined into one large competition during the October school holidays, a move inspired by the format of the Cook Islands Games.

“It’ll be a great opportunity for athletes of all ages. If anyone wants to become a national champion - they should start training now,” Fe’ao said.

The primary schools are gearing up for the annual and popular Prince of Wales athletics competition in the final week of term, at the end of the year.

“We’re building a full pathway, from grassroots through to international competition,” Fe’ao said. “It’s exciting, not just for elite athletes, but for our whole community.”