Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) is in its ‘final stage’ of preparation for the 2022 Cook Islands Games.

The 2022 Cook Islands Games will start this Friday with the official opening ceremony at the National Stadium in Nikao.

This year’s Games will feature 10 island teams – Aitutaki, Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, Palmerston, Rarotonga and Manihiki – and 3122 athletes. Penrhyn is not taking part in this year’s Games.

There are 25 codes – one more from the 2020 Games – at this year’s event.

CISNOC administration manager Jason Lindsay said “squash is now included and was not in 2020”.

“We are expecting to see some national records broken and a very competitive sporting environment. Overseas athletes coming back, like Wesley Roberts will help to increase the level of competition we have this year,” Lindsay said.

“We have included the Youth and Masters Trophies this year however the big one to get is still the open trophy.”

Mauke claimed the 2020 Cook Islands Games open title after amassing 118 points, two points clear of both Aitutaki and Mangaia.

Mauke won medals in all the 21 sports they contested but the bulk of their success came in athletics, with top middle-distance runner Alex Beddoes among the star performers.

The objectives of the Cook Islands Games are:

• To promote Island pride: a celebration of sport; a celebration of our islands and our nation
• To provide the country’s athletes a competitive opportunity and an opportunity to pursue excellence and advance their sporting ambitions.
• To provide athletes, competitive and social, a chance to participate in a healthy, active lifestyle through friendly competition.
• To provide an athlete centred environment that promotes competition and fair play;
• To enable our community to see our country’s athletes perform
• To provide a platform for young athletes to compete and develop
• The Games will be “Smokefree”.
• The Games will be Environmentally Friendly – “Single use plastic free”

The 2022 Cook Islands Games will run until October 15.

• RK/RNZ

Programme

Official opening ceremony (tentative) – 5pm Gates open, 5.45pm Invited Dignitaries and Guests to be seated, 5.55pm Official Welcome to All (& announcements), 6pm Arrival of the President of the Religious Advisory Council Pastor Tevai Matapo, Arrival of the Vice President of the House of Ariki, Tou Ariki, 6.05p Arrival of the Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Tina Browne and Mr Browne, 6.10pm Arrival of Minister of Sports, the Honourable Vaine (Mac) Mokoroa and Mrs Mokoroa. 6.15pm Arrival of Prime Minister, the Honourable Mark Brown and Mrs Brown, 6.22pm Arrival of Kings Representative, His Excellency Sir Tom Marsters KBE and Lady Marsters, 6.30pm    Parade of Islands, 7:35pm Opening Prayer and devotion – conducted by the Religious Advisory Council, 7.45pmWelcome address by the President of CISNOC, Mr Hugh Graham, 7.50pm Address by the Minister of Sports, Honourable Vaine Mac Mokoroa, 7:55pm Parade and presentation of the Cook Islands Games Flag - Athletes Oath (1 Male, 1 Female), Technical Officials Oath (1 Male, 1 Female), 8.35pm Address by the Prime Minister, Honourable Mark Brown.  After PM address he will officially open the 2022 Cook Islands Games 8:45pm          Arrival of Torch - Lighting of the cauldron, 9.05pm Artistic Performance – “Together as One we continue to move our Nation”, 9.20pm Closing Prayer -conducting by the Religious Advisory Council, Departure of The Kings Representative, Departure of the Prime Minister, Departure of the Minister of Sports.