BY ROMULUS HUTA
THE Chef de Mission for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games has called on his ‘One Team Solomon’ members to work together closely during the course of the Games.
Speaking during a team briefing held at the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) conference room yesterday, Michael Chan urged athletes and officials to uphold the unified spirit of ‘One Team Solomon’ during the games.
“We are the country’s ambassadors to the Commonwealth Games.
“The spirit of oneness must be upheld at all times as we are representing Solomon Islands, under one flag and one banner.
“We must continue to support and encourage each other, stick together from day one and right to the finish.
“We will check up our competition schedules and must rally morale support for each competitor during the competition days.
“If you need help with anything during the games, then we members of the team management are to here to help,” Chan assured.
The Commonwealth Games will run from April 4 to 15 in Gold Coast, Australia.
A total of 14 athletes across six sports and 11 officials will represent Solomon Islands in the Games.
The six sports are athletics (four athletes), boxing (one athlete), table tennis (two athletes), swimming (two athletes), triathlon (two boys) and weightlifting (three athletes).
Four of the 14 athletes are currently overseas training under scholarships for the Games.
Members of the Solomon Islands Contingent will leave Honiara for the Games on Sunday.
The four overseas-based athletes will meet the rest of the ‘One Team Solomon’ members in Brisbane, enroute to Gold Coast.
The Chef de Mission will leave early for Gold Coast today.
This is to prepare ahead of the arrival of the rest of the team members at the Games Village on Sunday.
See below the rest of the ‘One Team Solomon’ Members for Gold Coast 2018
Athletics:
Sharon Firisua, Patrick Kam, Samantha Rofo and Kevin Pio
Coach: James Iroga
Boxing
Henry Kia
Coach: John Utukana
Table Tennis:
Lalma Sifi, Gary Edward Nuopula
Coach: Aldrin Bekala
Triathlon:
Rocky D Ratu, Patrick Newman
Coach: Thompson Nathan Siofa
Weightlifting:
David Gorosi, Jenlyn Wini, Mary Lifu Kini
Swimming:
Clement Bill Lafiara, Angella Charles
Coach: Stance Sanga
‘One Team Solomon’ Officials:
Martin Rara (NOCSI President), Melinda Avosa (NOCSI Secretary General), Michael Chan (Chef de Mission), Naoyuki Fujiyama (General Team Manager), Adrian Tuhanuku (Assistant GTM) and Francis Manioru (Team Leader)