LATEST OWF NEWS May 2010

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1 LATEST OWF NEWS May 2010 What a great event! 150 competitors, 17 countries attending with almost 100 officials taking part Oceania & South Pacific Championships Suva- Fiji This year s Oceania and South Pacific Senior, Junior and Youth Championships had a significant importance attached to it. Not only is this year the 30 th Anniversary of the OWF but the Championships also served as the Olympic Youth Qualifications event for Singapore. These championships which were originally scheduled for Nauru, were switched to Fiji in early March. With only eight weeks to prepare, Weightlifting Fiji organised the biggest Oceania Championships ever held. Under the leadership of its President, Atma Maharaj and Secretary General, Chris Yee, an Organising Committee was established, spearheaded by Dr. Robin Mitchell, President of ONOC and IOC member. Many top officials from different sports through FASANOC were recruited to the Organising Committee and coupled with the weightlifting volunteers and others, a strong team of well over 100 were involved in the running of the event. (The Opening ceremony ) (Fijian culture at its best at the Opening ceremony) The sponsorship and marketing of the Championships was headed by Sikeli Tuinamuana, former treasurer of FASANOC and current Vice President for Swimming Fiji. He was assisted by Radhika Prasad, Vice President of FASANOC. The creative work was done by Dominic Sansom, the President of Cycling Fiji. The media and communication coverage was superb and led by Jeetendra Prasad, a well known media personality in Fiji. Whilst the production of the handbook was done by Luisa Tamanilo, Lyndall Fisher and Lawrence Rao of Samba. Ms. Makereta Lenoa, President of Oceania Karate and Fiji Karate, with a team comprising of Angela Birch, Seniceva Savua and her entire Fiji Karate Federation looked after the transportation, transfers, hospitality and catering. Ms. Lorraine Marr, the office manager of FASANOC handled all the VIP invitations and protocol with Alini Sovu from netball. Alini also did a splendid job taking care of the accommodation and its finances along with Tia Savu from ONOC. The competition venue management was led Patrick Bower, the Secretary of School Swimming and Primary School Athletics. He was (The event was well marketed with lots of sponsors) ably assisted by Inoke Niubalavu, the Development Officer of Fiji Baseball, Asika Prasad from Yat Sen school and of course the Fiji weightlifting team led by Joe Vueti, Apole Turaganivalu, and all the Levuka boys loading and assisting in the warm up area. Former weightlifting champion, Ms. Della Shaw looked after the training venue with the help of Jone Savou. The medal ceremonies were impeccably organised and managed by Ms. Talei Burness from ONOC with Master Lai Veikoso and his Dance School members. A superb website was created by Aman Lal whilst Brian Minikin from ONOC made sure that the results were live on the internet, keeping everyone updated on the progress of the championships. Special thanks also to Mick Cornish at Comtech Fiji for his assistance in set up of the technical equipment. Jo Ferris from ONOC and Andrew Prasad from FASANOC ran a STOP HIV Awareness program during the event, whilst Natanya Potoi from ORADO and her team conducted the drug testing.

2 Latila Mitchell with Peter Sipeli and Ven Komai of the Fiji Arts Council coordinated the Welcome Ceremony, Opening and Closing Ceremony, and all Cultural events. The closing banquet was fantastic. (The medal ceremony in tradition costumes) (Champion youth lifters in the first ever 50kg category) The Championships also had many dignitaries attending. We were very honoured to have His Excellency the President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who attended many sessions and very much enjoyed the competition. Government ministers attended as well as did many Diplomatic officials from the Embassies and Consulates. All in all, a great event! Thank you to everyone who assisted in making this event a great success. VINAKA VAKALEVU! The Competition The competition itself ran very smoothly under the watchful eyes of the IWF Competition Director, Attila Adamfi from Hungary and the Technical Supervisor, Mihaly Kelemen also from Hungary. Special thanks to Robert Kabbas, Simon Grace and Matthew Curtain for the great job they did as M.C. Due to the high number of athletes in some categories, the warm up area was very tight but thanks to the outstanding cooperation of the coaches and the athletes, at the end it was not an issue. There were many great performances overall but notably the performance of Ele Opeloge of Samoa in the 75+kg category was outstanding as she established 3 new Commonwealth records. H.E. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, President of the Republic of Fiji was presented with a special award on the occasion of the 30 th Anniversary of the OWF. The award was presented by the General Secretary Paul Coffa. Sensational weightlifting champion Ele Opeloge (Samoa) smashed all Commonwealth and Oceania records in the +75kg category. The best senior male lifter of the tournament was Simplice Ribouem of Australia. The best junior male lifter was Manueli Tulo from Fiji and the best youth male lifter was Steven Kari from Papua New Guinea. The best senior female lifter of the tournament was Ele Opeloge of Samoa. The best junior female lifter was Mary Opeloge also of Samoa whilst the best youth female lifter was Michelle Kahi from Australia. The senior team shield for men was won by Australia, whilst the junior men went to New Zealand. The senior and junior female team shields were both won by Australia.

3 The countries which qualified lifters for the Olympic Youth Games in Singapore were: BOYS: GIRLS: 1 st : Australia 1 lifter 1 st : Australia 1 lifter 2 nd New Zealand 1 lifter 2 nd Fiji 1 lifter 3 rd Papua New Guinea 1 lifter 3 rd New Zealand 1 lifter 4 th Fiji 1 lifter Dr. Robin Mitchell, President of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) and Mr. Dennis Miller, Executive Director of ONOC, were presented with Awards of Recognition for their outstanding support to weightlifting in the Oceania region. Mr. Tony Hole, 1 st Vice President of the OWF presented the award to Dr. Mitchell whilst Mr. Sam Coffa, IWF Vice President presented the award to Mr. Dennis Miller. The Oceania Congress This year is a significant year for the OWF as it is its 30 th Anniversary. The Congress was held in the Mayoral Chambers of the Suva City Council and was attended by 17 countries. Mr. Sam Coffa, the IWF Vice President, chaired the meeting as the President of the OWF, His Excellency Marcus Stephen was unable to attend. His Excellency sent his gratitude to Weightlifting Fiji for taking the championships at short notice and for doing such an outstanding job. He also wished the Congress in its 30 th Anniversary every success. During the Congress two special people received an Award of Recognition for their outstanding support given to the sport of weightlifting for many years in the Oceania region. These two people were Dr. Robin Mitchell, President of ONOC and Mr. Dennis Miller, Executive Director of ONOC. Delegates attending the 2010 Annual OWF Congress, in Suva on May 4 th.

4 Darwin, Australia was given the rights to host the 2011 Oceania & South Pacific Championships in conjunction with the Arafura Games. Whilst the 2012 championships went to Apia, Samoa. The 2012 Olympic Games Weightlifting Manager (and OWF Assistant Secretary), Matthew Curtain made the trip all the way from London and provided the congress with an updated report relating to the London Games. Specifically, the report outlined the planning status of the Olympic Village, Weightlifting Competition Venue, Training facility, Test Event, Sports equipment, Timing, scoring and results, sports specific volunteers and other related functional areas. Mr. Attila Adamfi from the IWF reported on the Commonwealth Games coming up in Dehli. Mr. Ronald Frere the OWF Vice President made a report on the Pacific Games 2011 to be held in New Caledonia. Mr Steven Patris reported on the Micronesian Games to be held in Palau in August of this year. The Congress was happy to have the General Secretary of the Wallis & Futuna Comite Territorial Olympique Sportif, Mr. Polelei Valentino. The Congress was also pleased to hear that the 2013 Pacific Mini Games to be held in Wallis & Futuna will have the sport of weightlifting on its program. Also during the Congress it was unanimously decided to award Life Memberships to the following officials for their outstanding service in the Oceania region during the last 30 years. Mr. Les Martyn Australia President of OWF Mr. Lyn Jones Australia President of OWF Mr. Bruce Cameron NZ General Secretary OWF Seiuli Paul Wallwork Samoa President OWF Mr. Sam Coffa Australia President AWF Mr. Tony Hole Cook Islands 1 st Vice President OWF H.E. Marcus Stephen Nauru President of the OWF 2008 Mr Paul Coffa -Australia General Secretary OWF 1992 Presentation of Life Memberships will be done conducted in Dehli during the Commonwealth Games. Paul Coffa Gen Sec. OWF, Sam Coffa IWF Vice President, Dr Robin Mitchell President ONOC and IOC Member. The OWF Annual Congress was held at the Mayoral Chambers Suva City Council. 17 countries were in attendance. The IWF Seminar Assisted by the IWF Development Program, the OWF conducted a seminar on technical, administrative, medical, anti-doping and coaching. On May 3 rd at FASANOC, the Technical Seminar was conducted by IWF Technical Chairman, Mr. Sam Coffa. 45 officials attended from 14 countries. This seminar was very well received by all participants. On the same day at FASANOC, the Administrative Seminar was conducted by Mr. Attila Adamfi from the IWF. This seminar included the Verification of Entries meeting. (50 participants took part from 18 countries.) 45 participants from 14 countries attended the technical seminar conducted by Mr Sam Coffa, IWF Technical Chairman.

5 Natanya Potoi of ORADO on May 4 th at the conclusion of the OWF Congress conducted the seminar on anti-doping issues and awareness. 37 participants from 17 countries were in attendance. Whilst on May 6 th at the Peninsula Hotel in the evening, a very well received and applicable seminar was conducted by Marie-Josee Ares-Pilon from Canada on sports injuries. The 46 participants from14 countries who attended this session enjoyed the seminar immensely.the coaching seminar followed this, conducted by former world champion and world record holder Blagoi Blagoev and Paul Coffa. The format of this coaching seminar was a forum of discussion on different methods and aspects of coaching. Mr Attila Adamfi IWF Competition Director addressing the participants during the Administrative seminar. Other Items of Interest A welcome ceremony at the Opening of the OWF Congress for special guests was held. Attila was one of the three special guest receiving the kava. The OWF Institute had the pleasure of a visit from the President of the Pacific Games Council, Mr. Vidhya Lakhan and the Executive Director of the Pacific Games Council, Mr. Andrew Minogue. Vidhya very much enjoyed his short visit to the Institute as he spoke to many of the athletes from the different countries. Technical Delegates Sam Coffa, IWF Vice President and Attila Adamfi, IWF Competition Director made a visit to London earlier this year and described the weightlifting venue as magnificent. Matthew Curtain, weightlifting manager for the 2012 London Olympics was very pleased with the visit. Debbie Jevans (Director of Sport) and David Luckes (Head of Sport Competition) also met with the IWF. FSM new Weightlifting President FSM has a new President in Weightlifting. Mr. Ron Etscheit. The General Secretary is Manuel Minginfel whilst the Treasurer is Jim Tobin, who is also the General Secretary of the FSM National Olympic Committee. Coming Events June Sofia -Bulgaria 2010 World Junior Championships June OWF office The 2010 ZKC international club tournament July Mont Dore (NCL) Pacific Cup Tournament August 1-10 Koror- Palau 2010 Micronesia Games August Singapore Olympic Youth Games Paul Coffa General Secretary All photos courtesy of Angela Wydall, Robert Kabbas, Ronald Frere, Matthew Curtain, Attila Adamfi, Paul Coffa and Luisa Tamanilo)