Tokelau is one of the smallest delegations at this month's Pacific Mini Games, with only three athletes, but is hopeful this is just the start of an increased presence at future events.
The New Zealand territory, which has a local population of just 1500, only sent one athlete to the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea and had initially planned not to send anybody to the Mini Games in Vanuatu.
But Ilai Elekana Manu, who has won eight Oceania medals representing Tokelau in wrestling, told Vinnie Wylie a chance encounter with the Pacific Games Council chief executive Andrew Minogue earlier this year, motivated him to assemble a team.
Ilai Elekana Manu and Peter Elekana show off Tokelau's silverware at the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu.
Photo: RNZI/Vinnie Wylie
Transcript
ILAI MANU: We talked about how Tokelau hadn't entered any athletes into the Games so I was keen to rectify that and open it up for people to want to enter. Because I had been given the blessing before from Tokelau to represent in wrestling (which was not a part of the Mini Games programme) I saw it as an opportunity that I could represent in another sport and they'd be cool with it. I let them know I was planning to bring a team to the Pacific (Mini) Games and they were fine with that. Because I would be responsible in terms of the funding and everything I just let the guys (I approached) know we're doing this on our back - with no fundraising. If you want to come you're self-funded - I don't want any of this going back to the islands so we're basically self-funded. We came here on our own backs and we were able to perform on the stage representing our country and just so proud to do it...it's priceless to come here so we can't really put a cost on it.
VINNIE WYLIE: Why is it such a challenge to get athletes do you reckon?
IM: The response I've had from Tokelau is right now they're in a rebuilding phase wanting to focus on building competition amongst the islands - inter island competition, inter island games - for the Tokelau-based people so their focus was not really on international competition but I'm hoping that the focus will change to be able to include representation for international (events).
VW: I guess a Mini Games like this is where the smaller nations like Tokelau can actually get their opportunity?
IM: Yeah for sure. I was also informed if Tokelau wouldn't attend these Games we were in danger of losing our Pacific Games (Council) membership so that's was another reason why I actually took it upon myself to actually come here because...in all honesty if we hadn't turned up to these Games we probably wouldn't be allowed to compete in the next one.
VW: And obviously getting here was something of a struggle in the first place - or an achievement - but to then pick up some silverware as well, a nice little way to top it off?
IM: It's just the icing on the cake really. For me, the proud moment is waving the flag and a lot of people take pride in that. To be able to pick up a bronze to hopefully inspire people (from Tokelau) that they can actually be competitive is a bonus, so I just hope that people are inspired to come and do the same.
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