Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 4 (ANI): Despite the challenges faced to attend the Delhi Commonwealth Games, Niue’s shooters are now a delighted lot and owe their skills to island fruitbats, as the facilities for shooters in the tiny South Pacific island nation are scarce and they often have to aim at fruitbats for practice.

“It’s very hard for us to get ammunition and clay birds for our practice. We have got them for about two to three months. That’s the only time to do our practice. Otherwise we shoot fruitbats and pigeons,” said ace shooter Sione Togiavalu.

Still, Niue have made it to Delhi - and in greater numbers than might be expected, Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Alan Puleosi, Niue’s chef de mission, is hopeful of a first medal in the 2010 Games with 27 athletes, including Sydney-based kickboxer-turned-wrestler Justine Kalauni, representing the tiny island nation.

“The newspapers are joking that a third of our population is here in Delhi. ‘Weightlifting is our best sport. We have the weights, and the platform is all we need. It is more difficult for other sports - there is no pool but we do have an athletics track and an open field,” the paper quoted Puleosi, as saying.

“But we do not have things other nations have, like a physio and a nutritionist. It’s just the coach and the athlete, and if an athlete gets injured, we take them to hospital,” he added.

Puleosi further said that the people of Niue do not stick to one sport.

“‘Everyone plays every sport but the problem with us is we don’t stick to one sport. ‘The same people play rugby and soccer and the other sports. It’s hard to get anyone to specialize,” he added. (ANI)