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Rediff.com  » Sports » CWG: No mobiles, no Wi-Fi but Cook Islands team content

CWG: No mobiles, no Wi-Fi but Cook Islands team content

Last updated on: September 29, 2010 11:27 IST

Image: Athletes from Scotland watch a traditional dance during a cultural programme at the Games Village in New Delhi
Photographs: Reuters

It's okay for the Cook Islands contingent if the TV remotes in their rooms at the Games Village are not working properly, if they have no phones to stay in touch or the wi-fi station is also not functioning.

They are not complaining; instead want to put all their energy into things which will ultimately matter -- focusing on practice and winning medals.

After a 19-hour long journey from their South Pacific Ocean country to India, they reached the Village at 5 am on Wednesday.

After checking into their room, they encountered problems but Sir Geoffry Henry, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Cook Islands, chose to dismiss them as little ones.

"It happens. We are not looking at it that way. We are interested in concentrating on just sport and winning medals. But yes, one thing we would like to have is that the six managers, who are in our contingent get mobile phones, so that we can get in touch with people at home," Sir Geoffry Henry said.

Henry spoke just after the flag hoisting ceremony along with that of Brunei Darussalam, a South East Asian country.

'We congratulate the OC for commitment to provide facilities'

Image: New Zealand athletes pose with Indian performers on their arrival in the Games Village

About 40 Cook Islands athletes will participate in six events -- tennis, boxing, lawn ball, net ball, weightlifting and athletics.

While addressing the gathering during the ceremony, he expressed solidarity with the embattled Organising Committee.

"We would like to congratulate you for the commitment to develop all required facilities. Hope it will be a memorable event and for years it will be remembered," he said.

At the flag hoisting ceremony of the two nations at the International Zone, students from the Summer Fields and Vandana International schools of New Delhi put up traditional dance and music shows.

A group of about 40 people from the Cook Islands and a small gathering of Brunei Darussalam enjoyed the evening cultural show.

Games Village Mayor, Dalbir Singh welcomed the officials from the two countries.

Thursday will see the flag hoisting ceremonies of South Africa and Wales.

Isle of Man boxer praises Games Village

Image: An artisan paints a model of the mascot of the Commonwealth Games inside a factory in Mohali

Joining the chorus of praise for the Games Village is Isle of Man boxer Dominic Winrow, who has given a thumbs up to the facilities in New Delhi on Wednesday.

"The Village is fantastic so far, everything is fine and the atmosphere is special. Everybody is out training and the ground is full of athletes. There are still a couple of things to be done but all the facilities are world-class," Winrow, who would be competing in the super-heavyweight boxers, said.

For all the good time he is having at the Village, Winrow says he is expecting a tough time inside the ring when the Games begin on October 3.

"Competition would be very high. We will put our best performance. The boxing venue is also good," he said.

Winrow said he does not have any fears over the security situation in Delhi.

"I feel secure here. Armed guards have been deployed and wherever we go, guards always accompany us," he said.

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