Sports minister approves sporting grants worth over $34-thousand
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
3 December, 2012
Sports minister approves
sporting grants worth over $34-thousand
Minister for Sports Hon Dr Kieren Keke last week (23 Nov)
approved the first two applications for the Sports Federation
Grants totaling $34,000.
These are awarded to Nauru Powerlifting Federation and Nauru
Weightlifting Federation.
Powerlifting has been awarded over $14,000 to support the
National Powerlifting Team attend the Oceania Powerlifting
Championships to be held in Sydney between 7-9th
December.
The Nauru Weightlifting Federation has been awarded a $20,000
grant. This will support the preparation of Nauru's elite
weightlifters for the forthcoming 2014 Commonwealth Games in
Glasgow, Scotland.
Minister Keke says the powerlifting championships in Sydney will
provide "an opportunity for our lifters to gain exposure to
international competition as well as to showcase Nauru's
strongmen."
"The experience gained and the expected results at this event
should further promote the development of powerlifting in Nauru.
Participation at this event is also part of the Federation's
development and preparations for bigger international events,
including the Powerlifting World Championships which will be held
in Russia in 2013."
Powerlifting in Nauru is rapidly growing with 13 active gyms and
approximately 200 financial members.
The grant will support the team of 32 who will attend the
Oceania Championships, consisting of 30 lifters and two
officials.
The total cost for the team to attend this event is well over
$80,000.
"I wish to commend the great work by the Federation in raising
the total funds needed and indeed I also thank the sponsors who
have donated generously to support the team. This includes Digicel,
Wilson Security and Sterling Security.
"Government wishes our National Powerlifting Team all the best
for the Championship and look forward to seeing records broken and
a bag full of medals returned home."
Minister Keke stated that sports men and women need the
physical, mental and financial support to be successful at their
respective sports.
"In order to be successful at these highest international
events, our athletes must not only train hard for many years, but
they need ongoing opportunities to compete as often as possible in
international events, putting themselves against the world's
best.
"This ensures that they are not only physically prepared but
they are also psychologically ready for the major events.
"We have a number of weightlifters that continue to perform
extremely well and in particular we have four lifters who have
ranked in the top 10 of the Commonwealth."
"Yukio Peter is looking to win back to back Gold, Itte Detenamo
has brought home Silver and Bronze and is looking for his Gold, and
we have Elson Brechtefeld ranked 3rd in the Commonwealth
and a real medal prospect in Glasgow, as well as Ika Aliklik who
whilst ranked 6th, is also determined to win a
medal.
"As Minister for Sport, I am very pleased that Government is
able to provide additional and targeted support to our Sport
Federations.
"Whilst the grants I have awarded (on 28Nov) are targeting the
development of our high performing athletes and supporting our
international success, the grants available for our Sports
Federations are also aimed at developing sport within Nauru and
increasing community participation in sport," Sports Minister
Kieren Keke said.
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