MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falkland Islands sends team to Commonwealth Games
The Falkland Islands, one of the most dynamic Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom, with a population of 2,379, will have a team of six competitors at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
The Falklands first sent a small team of two competitors to the 1982 Games in Brisbane, Australia, and have been ever present since.
At this year's Games which open on July 25, 2002, the Islands will be represented in Badminton and three disciplines of shooting - Full-bore rifle, pistol and clay pigeon. All shooting events are being staged at the National Rifle Association's ranges at Bisley, Surrey.
22-year-old rifle shooter Gareth Goodwin, has been given the prestigious honour of carrying the Falklands flag at the Opening Ceremony. He recently set a local record, scoring 104 from a possible of 105, and will compete in the full-bore individual and pairs events.
Police Sergeant Graham Didlick, who won a gold medal at the 1999 NatWest Island Games in Gotland, Sweden, after a record-breaking shoot in the Black Powder muzzle loading rifle event, competes this time in the pistol and clay pigeon disciplines.
Financial adviser Saul Pitaluga who represented the Falklands at both the 1994 Games in Victoria, Canada and in Malaysia four years ago, will once again enter the clay pigeon events.
After scoring the Falklands first-ever possible of 35 in a seven rounds shoot in Malaysia in 1998, Derek Pettersson will compete again in the full-bore individual and pairs events, alongside Gareth Goodwin.
Two 24-year-old Badminton players will represent the Islands in singles and doubles. Bricklayer Douglas Besley-Clark is the most experienced competitor of the two, having attended the1998 Commonwealth Games, and the 1995 and 1999 Island Games.
Trainee civil engineer Christopher Eynon played soccer for the Falklands at the 2001 Island Games on the Isle of Man, but in Manchester he will strive for success in the badminton events.
Chef de Mission will be Patrick Watts who has attended every Commonwealth Games with the Falklands team since 1982. This is the third occasion that the former Head of Falklands Radio has led the Falklands delegation.
Ken Aldridge who holds the Falklands individual full-bore record with a score of 374, achieved in Victoria in 1994, has been appointed Shooting Team Manager for the forth-coming Games.
His Excellency the Governor Mr. Donald Lamont, who is President of the Falklands Games Association, will attend the Opening Ceremony, accompanied by his wife Lynda. The Falkland Islands Government Representative in London, Sukey Cameron, will also attend the Opening Ceremony as a guest of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
A special FIGOA website has been launched to provide background information, updates, photographs, profiles and results. Visit www.horizon.co.fk/fioga or under our front page icon.
Source: Sam Allanson-Bailey FI Office ? London
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