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VANDI-Sport Gearing for Aussie Tour

By Tony Ligo
Posted Tuesday, October 14, 2003

A small dedicated group of local athletes are undergoing their final preparations for an Australian tour early next month. They are members of Vanuatu Disabled Sport's (VANDI-Sport) athletes, which include three confirmed names and seven others still awaiting confirmation. In an interview with Independent Sport on Tuesday morning, national coach Mary Estelle Mahuk spoke about the level of training these athletes are currently undergoing.

"We have three confirmed athletes for the Australian tour but another seven are still awaiting confirmation," Mrs. Mahuk said. "Training takes place on Monday and Wednesday and the athletes are in competition form, ready for the competition." There are currently 10 athletes in training, the majority being track and field athletes. However, financial difficulty has necessitated reducing that number, and as it stands only three names have been confirmed.

"These three are in the elite group of VADNI-Sport athletes," said Mary. "There are two male athletes, Dick Yaltun of Paama, who is the swimming star, and Tom Kalmet of Tanna/Aneitym in the shot put and javelin. They will be acompanied by the only female athlete, Mary Mali, who also takes part in the field events javelin and shot put."

According to Mary Estelle, Dick Yaltun swims in the free style, backstroke and butterfly categories, "but his personal best and personal choice is the butterfly, so that is the event he will compete in when the team is down under," confirmed the national coach.

A wheelchair basketball squad was also supposed to be part of the team, however lack of committment by pre-selected team members saw its withdrawal. Officials responsible for the VANDI-Sport tour are Lina Saure (team manager) and Mary Estelle Mahuk (national coach).

 

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