Monmouthshire County Council’s chairman, Councillor Brian Hood MBE welcomed two Olympic hopefuls to Abergavenny Leisure centre this week (Monday, 19th December).
Tarieta Ruata (32) and Andrew Kometa (23) from the Republic of Kirabati are staying with Michael Walsh of Llanddewi Rhydderch, who is married to a Kirabati and happens to be the republic’s honorary consul in the UK. Kiribati is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean.
Boxers Tarieta and Andrew hope to represent their country in the 2012 Olympics and Mr Walsh got in touch with the council to arrange three day’s training at the leisure centre until they leave to spend Christmas with Andrew’s cousin in Wiltshire. The boxers’ presence will provide a boost for the leisure centre and its members who will relish the opportunity to train alongside these champions. Tarieta and Andrew are both title holders and have competed in the Commonwealth Games.
Tarieta and Andrew took the opportunity to present sports gear to Paige Davies and Rob Stark of King Henry VIII School. Paige and Rob have been selected as Young Ambassador volunteers, part of the Adistar Young Ambassador scheme which aims to provide young people with role models who inspire them to become more active in their schools. The Young Ambassador scheme commenced in Wales in 2009 and will use the interest generated by the London Olympics to engage youngsters in activity. The scheme promotes the Olympic and Paralympic values of friendship, respect and excellence; courage, determination, inspiration and equality.
