- Banika Grabs Most ‘Gold medals’
- North Savo Clinch Overall Medals Trophy
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
An exciting week of sports for athletes and spectators during the GERUSA GAMES 2023 at Tulaghi last week has concluded over the weekend, with Banika Ward 9 winning the most ‘Gold Medals’ trophy.
This is followed by North Savo (Ward 12) with 7 medals and Northwest Ngella (Ward 8) with 6 medals.
The overall medals of ‘gold, silver and bronze’ tally was claimed by Ward 12 North Savo who collected the trophy award.
Despite of bad weather hiccup, the Premier of Central Islands Province (CIP) Hon Polycarp Galaigu thanked athletes, Officials and everyone attending for their efforts to make a memorable week of uniting through sports.
The Hon Premier urged all athletes to continue trainings when returning to their respective wards as the Solomon and South Pacific Games are coming up.
“Do not return to your Wards and stop playing, please return and train hard for the next GERUSA as well,” said Galaigu.
The Local Organising Committee Chairman of GERUSA 2023, Michael Kuali also thanks stakeholders and government agencies for their support towards the games. This includes the national sports representatives, police for security, medical team and their physios, Ward leaders, the LOC members and everyone participating.
In the same sentiment as CIP’s Premier, the LOC Chairman urges all CIP athletes to return to their Wards and continue training.
“Please I urge all athletes to take note of what the Premier has said about returning to your Wards and continue playing, as the Solomon Games is coming up and very soon we the province will be calling up for athletes who have done very well during this 2023 GERUSA games to represent CIP.
“No doubt anyone of you could be our representative for the upcoming South Pacific Games (SPG) as well,” said Kuali.
For this year’s 4th GERUSA games, out of the 13 Wards of CIP, only 9 Wards attended. They are Banika Ward 9, North Savo Ward 12, North West Ngella Ward 8, Central West Ngella Ward 2, Tulaghi Ward 4, South Savo Ward 13, South West Ngella Ward 5, Central East Ngella Ward 3 and Sanvester Ward 1.
The four who have not attended are Pavuvu Ward 10, Lavukal Ward Ward 11, Northeast Ngella Ward 7 and Southeast Ngella Ward 6.
As such CIP’s Premier Hon Polycarp Galaigu strongly wants to see all the 13 Wards of CIP participate during the next GERUSA games.
“This is so that when we have sports officials coming from Honiara, they will record good records matching or even better than at Honiara. If we want to achieve such results then all of us from the national government level, the Ward leaders right down to our people must work positively together,” said Galaigu.
Sports played in last week’s GERUSA Games were “Athletics, 3×3 Basketball, beach and indoor volleyball, netball, Taekwando, local dug-out canoe racing, Long Jump, Javeline, shotput and discus.
Consolation trophies were also awarded to other CIP Ward Teams.
