Athletes starts Commonwealth Games journey
The first group of athletes of Team Solomon for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow started their journey to Scotland on Monday.
The first group of travelling athletes included Rob Dorovolomo, David Gorosi; Hepline Iro, Brown Ramohaka, Jad Nalo, Stanley Ofasisili, Thompson Siofa, triathlon Tony Lomo, and Douglad Haulanga, Martin Rara, and were joined in Brisbane by Katea Ueresi who joined the group in Australia.
This first group will go into camp at Stirling University where their preparation and training will be closely monitored.
Two further groups will follow in early July, they are Francis Manioru, Sharon Firisua and Rosefelo Siosi who are currently competing in the Oceania Athletics Championships in Cook Islands.
The final group which includes para athlete Janet Sibale and all remaining officials will start their journey to Glasgow days later.
Weightlifter Jenly Wini is travelling separately from New Caledonia.
Upon the arrival of the last group, Team Solomon will relocate to the Games Village in Glasgow.
All athletes and team officials were officially sent off in a brief organized ceremony during the Olympic Run day celebration.
The general team manager, Dr Andy Roosen, spoke on behalf of Chef de Mission, Ronald Bei Talasasa who could not be present.
Dr Roosen thanked not only the athletes, coaches and officials for their diligent work, but also thanked the family members and friends that have supported the athletes in their preparation for the Games.
He thanked members of NOCSI and sporting federations for all the behind the scenes support to the team.
He also thanked the management of Heritage Park Hotel for hosting the send-off ceremony.
Mr Simon Gore and Mr Mike Ketchen from the British and New Zealand High Commissions also joined the ceremony and wished the team well on their upcoming adventure to Scotland.
Both Deputy High Commissioners did a meet-and-greet with the travelling team before saying their goodbyes.
The Team, NOCSI officials, friends and family then departed for the airport to start the long journey to a Scotland where they can expect British summer at 20 degrees Celsius.
