MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Successful Games for Falklands Team.
A series of personal bests and new National records confirmed that the Commonwealth Games of 2002 was the most successful ever for the Falklands.
Medals were not expected, and, as in all previous Commonwealth Games in which the Falklands have participated, they were not forthcoming this time. However the Falklands were in good company in this respect as more than half of the Countries competing (37 of the 72) failed to win a medal of any colour. For example, Sri Lanka, a Country with a population of millions, went home medal-less.
As already documented the 2 full-bore rifle shooters achieved the best ever placing in the Pairs event, with a combined score of 560.41. This was a massive 22 points better than the previous Falklands record set in Victoria in 1994. Both Derek Pettersson and Gareth Goodwin individually scored 280, beating Stan Smith's 1986 best of 278. The team finished ahead of much bigger Countries such as Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Isle of Man and Malawi.
In the Individual event, Gareth Goodwin recorded the highest ever scores for the Falklands, in all 3 Stages of the competition. His final total of 390.39 smashed Ken Aldridge's 1994 record by 16 points, and Gareth's final placing of 24th, just 14 points behind the gold medallist, was far and away the highest ever placing for a Falklands competitor in this event. His score saw him finish ahead of more experienced shooters from Kenya, Canada, Guyana, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Bermuda, Barbados & Samoa. He was the unchallenged winner of the 'Performance of Merit' medal, awarded by Chef de Mission, Patrick Watts.
In the 25m Centre Fire pistol competition, Graham Didlick produced an excellent run of scores to record a final total of 530, beating his previous best by 21 points, and finishing a most creditable 23rd overall.
Clay Pigeon shooter Saul Pitaluga has always maintained a high level of competences for the Falklands in both Commonwealth and Island Games, and Manchester 2002 proved to be no exception. In his favoured Men's Trap - Singles event, he recorded scores of 21, 19, 21, 20 & 24 to finish with 105, which gave him an impressive 23rd placing in a field of 37. Another personal best.
To quote Colin McEachern the Scottish shooter, lawyer, official, coach and Shooting Team Manager, 'The Falklands shooters performed magnificently, and all you can ever ask for is to achieve personal bests and this they did and more, by breaking Falkland's records'.
The Falklands Shooting Team Manager Ken Aldridge, who saw his Individual record broken by Gareth Goodwin, was highly delighted by his team's performance. He praised their dedication and commitment throughout the 10 days of competition.
The 2 badminton players, Douglas Clarke and Christopher Eynon, predictably found the going tough, and lost in the first round of the singles and doubles events. However their appearance in Manchester attracted much interest in the media, and one local radio station followed their fortunes on a daily basis.
Understandably the sceptics may question the decision to send a team to a major International sporting event, knowing that it is highly unlikely that a medal will be brought home. For the Falklands the Commonwealth Games provided an excellent opportunity to remind the half billion people world-wide who watched the Opening Ceremony, that this small Overseas Territory of Britain is proud to play its part within the Commonwealth. It reminded the world that, 20 years on from the Falklands War, the Islands are still British, and it provided ample opportunities of 'free' publicity through the media. Interviews were given to BBC Radio 5, BBC World Service, Sydney Talks Radio, and various leading British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand newspapers, while Falkland's competitors appeared several times on BBC television. It is not just a sporting occasion for the Falklands, but a public relations exercise as well.
It was good to have, for the first time, the President of FIOGA Governor Lamont and his wife, attended the Opening Ceremony and reception and visit the team at the Games village. Their presence also enhanced the determination of the Falklands to compete, 'whatever the distance is to be travelled'.
The next objective of FIOGA will be to send a team to the less demanding Island Games in Guernsey next year. Perhaps consideration will be given to having a couple of competitors at the Commonwealth Youth Championships in Bendigo, Australia in 2004, while it is only 4 years away to the next Commonwealth Games in Melbourne! The Falklands already have a personal invitation from Melbourne 2006 to attend the Games.
Finally the team, officials, and all Associate Members of FIOGA, have expressed their appreciation to - the major sponsors, the Falkland Islands Company, Cable & Wireless, Morrisons and Osbornes in England - to the many people within the Islands who offered support through the mid-winter swim, donations and raffles and to the elected Councillors who continue to offer financial and moral support.
Patrick Watts - Europe
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