Annual Report 2014 Marshall Islands
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Marshall Islands MINOC UPDATE The continued success enjoyed by the Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee (MINOC), its National Federations and, most importantly, its athletes would not be possible without the many opportunities afforded by IOC, ANOC, Olympic Solidarity, ONOC and the International and Continental sport federations. MINOC President Kenneth Kramer, Secretary General Terry Sasser and the MINOC Executive Board wish to express their sincere gratitude to each of these orga- nizations and especially the Marshall Islands National Government for their continued support. these to the organizing committee and chose represented the Marshall Islands at the 2nd (CC&O) courses. In June, Amy was invited the design for the team and marching uniforms. Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China in to attend Olympic Solidarity’s Advanced Sport 2014 saw several of MINOC’s strategic priorities for August. Runner Eve Burns, swimmer Troy Management Course (ASMC) Director Training this quadrennial beginning to come to fruition. Our MIBF’s focus on coach certification and talent Kojenlang and wrestler Kaiser Muller were in Lausanne and is now certified as a Managing goal to make better use of Olympic Solidarity programs identification proved successful as men and awarded universality places, while female Olympic Sport Organizations (MOSO) Course continues to improve as MINOC and its NFs expand women’s basketball teams played remarkably wrestler Ilania Keju qualified for her place with facilitator. Marshall Islands will hold its first their application and implementation of Olympic Sol- well, taking out some of the top teams to both her Oceania Championships gold medal. Ilania national MOSO course in 2015. In September, idarity programs to support their initiatives. Our goal earn silver medals. The men and women’s soft- won her match with Cote d’Ivoire, and had a MINOC employed Kevin Harkey as its full-time to have representation on the boards of continental ball teams also brought home precious metals. strong showing against Ecuador for her 6th MISEP Coordinator. Since his hire, the MISEP associations was achieved when Marshall Islands Bas- The women’s team, previous recipients of the place finish in the 70kg category. Troy finished Team successfully delivered two SiC courses ketball Federation (MIBF) Secretary General Deborah Olympic Solidarity Team Support grant and led first in his heat in the men’s 50m freestyle and two CC&O courses before the end of 2014. Shoniber was elected to the FIBA Oceania board and by pitcher Alysia Maddison, took gold, while swim. Administratively, YOG presented a great One of the primary functions of MISEP is to the FIBA Central Board, Marshall Islands Volleyball the men’s team won a hard-fought silver medal opportunity to further train MINOC office staff, develop NF training workshops targeting the Federation (MIVF) Vice-President Terry Sasser in a highly competitive tournament. Lawn as well as network with the Olympic Family administrative skills and good governance was elected as a Vice-President for Oceania Zonal tennis and table tennis teams each secured during the Games. All four athletes enjoyed an necessary to maximize the potential of Olympic Volleyball Association (OZVA) and the Asian Volleyball bronze medals. unforgettable experience as Nanjing delivered a Solidarity programs for the delivery of their Confederation (AVC) executive board, and MINOC world-class event. sport nationally. Having athletes as young as 14 years old Executive Board Member Tony Muller was elected to producing medals, the swim team’s high medal the board of the Oceania Continental Handball Fed- count (34 total) brought Team Marshall Islands MISEP ATHLETICS eration. MINOC’s goal to host a regional competition surging to the top of the Micronesian Games 2014 was a big year for the Marshall Islands Marshall Islands Athletics Federation (MIAF) was met when Marshalls Wrestling Federation was standings. The weightlifting team collected a Sport Education Program (MISEP), Marshall jump-started the year with trainings and try- awarded the bid to host the 2015 Oceania Wrestling total of 30 medals and the highest gold medal Islands’ chapter of the Oceania Sport Education outs for the Micronesian Games in Pohnpei. Championships. count for Marshall Islands at 23 gold medals. Program (OSEP). In March, MINOC Admin- MIAF’s team of eight males and six females, At the conclusion of the weightlifting competi- istrator and MEMOS graduate Amy Sasser led by coaches Edison Mathusla and Carlon 8TH MICRONESIAN GAMES tion, Marshall Islands was in first place for gold attended the OSEP Master Educator Training at Zedkaia, achieved three bronze medals and one The 2014 8th Micronesian Games held in Pohnpei, and total medals tally. Sonaisali Resort in Fiji where she earned her silver medal. Olympian Roman Cress secured FSM was an epic event for the Marshall Islands as certification as an OSEP Master Educator (ME). the silver medal in the 200-meter race. This Team MHL obtained 34 gold medals, 23 silver medals, The great support from the H.E. President As a continuation of her ME training, and on Micronesian Games was extra special for the and 33 bronze medals, for a total of 90 medals - its Christopher Loeak, Hon. Minister of Sport a pathway to attain certification as an OSEP veteran runner as he was joined by his 16 year best ever medal tally in the Micronesian Games. All the David Kabua, High King and Senator Jurelang Mentor, Amy served as course coordinator, old daughter, Mariana Cress, who achieved training and education led to very organized delegation Zedkaia, the Marshall Islands National Govern- ME and co-facilitator for the North Pacific bronze in the 100 meter and 200 meter races administration by the MINOC office staff. MINOC ment, communities and sponsors made the 8th OSEP Educator Training Course in Guam and also achieved bronze in the women’s 4x100 Executive Board member Deborah Shoniber served Micronesian Games a very proud moment for in April. Three MEs, six ORADO Play True meter relay with teammates Hemrita deBrum, as Marshall Islands’ Chef de Mission for the Games. Marshall Islands. Pacific Educators and eight OSEP Educators Mattie Sasser and Ilania Keju. Marshall Islands Athletes’ Commission served a vital (including current MISEP Team: Kevin Harkey, In February, MIAF organized the Majuro Day role in preparation for the Micro Games; their repre- YOG Kalani Nii and Dimitrius Tarkwon from Marshall Track & Field for the Majuro Day 2014 celebra- sentatives attended every organizational meeting where A delegation, led by MINOC President Kenneth Islands) were certified during the course to tions. In partnership with various government they voiced the concerns of the athletes, forwarded Kramer and Chef de Mission Tony Muller, deliver Sport in Community Administrator (SiC) and Community Coach and Official and non-government organizations, 5K Run/ Annual Report 2014 Walks were planned for Education Week in Games in Pohnpei in July — both teams were petitions, MIBF is working with FIBA Oceania players returned to their village and club Softball Federation organizing the first annual Coach’s Clinic in Guam in September. He also February, International Women’s Day in March, led by coaches who completed the first ever and MINOC to hire MISEP graduate Rickiano teams, raised the technical and physical play Jeimata Kabua Memorial Tournament, which completed the Red Cross Lifeguard four-week RMI for Climate Change Action in September, “Level Two” coaching training in Micronesia Antibas as a full-time National Basketball at the grassroots level. On her second stint will begin early in 2015. course and now is a certified Lifeguard. In Breast Cancer awareness and World Food Day conducted by FIBA Expert Instructor and former Development Officer (NBDO) early in 2015. in the Micronesian Games, Hawai’i Pacific November, Amy LaCost attended the FINA Gold in October and President’s Day in November. NBA coach Tom Newell. MIBF has prioritized how to best maximize the University (HPU) pitcher Alysia Maddison led SWIMMING Medal Swimming Coaches Clinic and earned These were successful events with good partic- use of FIBA Oceania funding and programs in Marshall Islands Women’s Softball Team to the her certificate. In December, Coach Hebert ipation and an emphasis on healthy lifestyles The first “Say No to Non-Communicable Dis- conjunction with Olympic Solidarity programs. gold medal. Prior to her success in this year’s Alfred attended the FINA Youth Clinic as the and NCD awareness. eases (NCDs) Veterans 3x3” competition was Micronesian Games she was named to the Youth Coach, while swimmers Dash Alfred and held from October-November with sponsorship HANDBALL All-PacWest First Team. Maddison returned to Colleen Furgeson attended the Youth Training The annual National Games Track & Field from the Ministry of Health. The competition The International Handball Federation (IHF) the Marshall Islands from university prior to Program. Competition was held in May and featured was for players aged 40 and over, a group for continues its efforts to develop the sport of the Games to practice with the team and to con- runners, throwers and jumpers from all of which there are few organized sports activities. Giordan had a breakthrough meet at the FINA handball in the islands of Oceania. MINOC Ex- duct softball clinics in the communities of the the villages, communities, and atolls of the World Swimming Championships in December, ecutive Board member Tony Muller was elected Marshall Islands. Young 17-year-old catcher Marshall Islands. World Athletics Day activities Coach Newell conducted a Level One Coach with lifetime bests in all 6 of his swims. Annie to the Executive Board of Oceania Handball. Kalyna Korok was also a driving force in the were celebrated at the end of May. Six athletes Training Course for school and community Helper achieved a lifetime best in her 50-meter The drive of Oceania Handball is to develop team’s success.