BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport has provided details of key training and competition opportunities for local athletes who compete in various sports and who are looking to get selected and represent the country in the Pacific Games 2023 in Honiara.
Speaking to local media at the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sports (SINIS) Complex on May 12, the SINIS High-Performance Manager (PM) for Portfolio Two (Team Sports) Amanda Korinihona said they are utilizing every effort in terms of their expertise and resource to ensure all athletes are fully prepared to represent the country ahead of this year’s Pacific Games in November.
Amanda said their main focus and objective ahead of the Pacific Games 2023 are to ensure local athletes in respective federations (or competing sports) have more training and in-house competitions.
“One of the key focus areas is to get more sports experts from outside of the country (overseas) to come and support our local athletes and coaches in terms of their early preparations ahead of the Games.
“The plan is for all respective team coaches and athletes to take part and maintain high-level competitions or training camps in the country as of this month and onwards (ahead of the Games).
“One of the advantages is that these expertise are qualifying experts, others are Olympians or national representatives from other countries, who have shown interest to come and help us out,’’ she said.
She noted that the athletes will continue with gym sessions, strength and conditioning workouts, recovery and compete for in-house competitions every two weeks while some sports every week.
“For May, we are focusing on bringing mental coaches. On top of that one of the areas the Portfolio Team need to focus on is educational support services, such as wellbeing, nutrition, and mental skill session.
“Last April month volleyball and netball were sent to Gold Coast in Australia to attend training camp and participate in a few competitions. So for example, since Netball and Volley have already participated outside, currently we will do a review, of what needs to be done, so we continue to plan.
“Right now, there are few sports in the review process phase where we are currently working with them,’’ she said.
She said that other sports that did not travel outside of the country will do their training camp in the country since many mental coaches abroad will be here to conduct the training camps.
“At the end of last month, the touch rugby has welcome a new oversea coach who will conduct coaching workshops and training,” she said.
