Niue’s heavyweight boxer, Duken Tutakitoa-Williams will lead the country’s campaign at the upcoming Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Chef de Mission Sidney Lui told RNZ Pacific that Tutakitoa-Williams, who was Niue’s first Commonwealth Games medallist after taking bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, is a top medal prospect for the island nation.
“He was the one who won our first medal in Birmingham,” Lui said on Monday.
Tutakitoa-Williams is one of three boxers in the Niue squad.
He had told RNZ Pacific in 2022 that he wants to qualify for the Paris Olympic 2024 and the Games in Honiara will be his step towards gaining qualification for that.
Boxing Niue will also feature De Niro Pao and Keanu Naden.
Lui said their squad also includes netball and touch rugby – sports that had been missing from their Games squads in the past 16 to 20 years.
Niue will also have athletes competing in weightlifting, powerlifting, netball and touch rugby. Athletes named have come from Niue, New Zealand and Australia.
China hands over $5m security equipment for the Pacific Games
Meanwhile, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Monday received aid batches of security equipment and materials totaling SBD$5 million (US$590,000) for next month’s Pacific Games, a generous donation from the People’s Republic of China.
This is yet another embodiment of the sound police cooperation between Solomon Islands and PRC; another promise fulfilled by China in support of Solomon Islands hosting the Pacific Games.
Prime Minister and Pacific Games Minister, Manasseh Sogavare witnessed the donation exchanged hands during a ceremony at the Rove Police headquarter.
The security equipment and materials are to assist and support strengthen the technical capability and capacity of RSIPF to deliver a safe and green games for our people- men, women, youth, children, athletes and visitors.
Prime Minister Sogavare stated, as part of preparation for the Pacific Games 2023, PRC’s Ministry of Public Security increased the personnel input of the China Police Liaison Team (CPLT) as well as conducted comprehensive security training for the RSIPF police officers.
It also aided a batch of security equipment and materials, valued at SBD$5 million(US$590,000)…. “including 7 categories and 1600 pieces consisting of 1300 security clothing and shoes, 2 unmanned aerial vehicle, 2 inspection machine, 29 metal detector, 1 video transmission system equipment, 200 radio walkie-talkies, 120 handheld metal detectors,” Prime Minister Sogavare elaborated.
Monday’s donation is an assurance that the country will deliver on its obligation for a peaceful and happy event.
The Prime Minister adds current Police-to-Police Cooperation is a demonstration of more future cooperation.