CISNOC executive still overseas

Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) secretary general Rosie Blake is still overseas, according to organisation staff.

In the first days of November Blake travelled to Saint Kitts in the Caribbean to attend meetings for the hosting of 2018s Commonwealth Games.

Subsequently, she missed a special general meeting of the organisation on November 8.

Hambantota in Sri Lanka and the Gold Coast in Australia were the two eventual bids for hosting rights, and the Gold Coast won. Blake was also reportedly part of an election for a vice president for Oceania in respect of the Commonwealth Games while in Saint Kitts.

Initially CISNOC staff indicated she would be back in the Cook Islands on the weekend, but that appears not to be the case.

A CISNOC member told Cook Islands News Blake receives a $100 daily per diem while away, paid by CISNOC.

The organisations president Sir Geoffrey Henry has been asked to confirm whether that is correct.

CINews understands Blakes other expenses while in the Caribbean are paid for through the Commonwealth Secretariat.

In September Blake travelled to Sri Lanka to take part in the bidding process for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

She flew to Sri Lanka from New Caledonia (where she was for the Pacific Games) via New Zealand and returned to the Cook Islands in early October.

The announcement of a successful host for the next Commonwealth Games was made on November 11.