ALTHOUGH no female sprinters will represent the country at the upcoming Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea (PNG) next month, there is hope that things will turn around in the not too distant future with these three young athletes as ROMULUS HUTA REPORTS:
It is good to start small and aim higher toward bigger dreams. These were the words of a group of young girls seen gracing the old grass running track at King George Sixth School sports complex with their evening training session yesterday. With no proper coaching and lack of adequate training facilities, that will not hinder these three women’s interest to achieve higher things in athletics.
Let me introduce to you the trio. They are Ella Taurikeni, Elizabeth Tasra and Shama Mamae.
Ella Taurikeni
Ella Taurikeni, 16, is the youngest of them of all. Hailed from East Guadalcanal, already she had set sights on rubbing shoulders with the world’s best in future international competitions – an opportunity she dreams about to have one day in life, as an upcoming sprinter.
And that would soon be materialized when she represents the country at the Commonwealth Youth Games set to take place Samoa in September.
Ella is the younger sister of Joycelyn Taurikeni, a former national sprinter, who now holds a post as the Development Officer for the Athletic Solomons – the country’s governing athletics body.
Ella took up interest in the sport some years back at a very young age. Following in the footsteps of her elder sister, Ella’s interest in athletics was not something that just came out from nowhere. What really motivates her was the number of medals and other silverware seen hanging on the walls of their house.
Those were ones won by elder sister Joycelyn during her time as a sprinter. Not only that, she was also thrilled and impressed with opportunities athletes often receives.
“I love to travel,” she grinned as we chatted.
“Athletes travel a lot to different places when attending competition overseas to meet new people, new culture and most of them all, learn new things when competing,” she said.
With daily commitment and dedication toward her training, there is huge potential that lies ahead of her in athletics.
“There are so many things that I wanted to do. But I must start with athletics first and be at my best to make the country proud as an ambassador in the future,” said the teenager who admitted that she also idolizes the humble character of local female distance runner and Pacific Mini games gold medallist, Sharon Firisua.
“Sharon’s (Firisua) humble character inspires me a lot. The way she trains, the way she competes, she always take pride in herself and that made her the person she is today. She’s a true champion and a role model for us.”
During the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games in September, Ella will form a relay team with the other fellow athletes to participate in the women’s 4x100m relay. Elizabeth Tasra and Shama Mamae are the other two expected to make up the team.
Elizabeth Tasra
Elizabeth Tasra is one of the budding female sprinter. At just the age of 17, already she had made her mark in the two national championships in the 2013 and 2014 editions, competing for Honiara.
Feeling overwhelmed and relishing the experience gained from those two recent national championships, she dreamt to represent the country one day at the Olympics.
“The Olympics is my aim. I want to compete at the top level.
“After attending the two recent national championships, I felt I wanted more,” the softspoken young lady who hails from Isabel and Malaita said.
Young Elizabeth is currently doing her sixth form of education at Saint Nicholas High School and had to schedule her time well between her studies and training.
“Being an athlete is my passion despite my busy study schedules. I had to attend classes, complete my school assignments before attending training. Time management is vital in this case,” she stressed.
Asked about how she feels about being selected to be part of the team earmarked for the Commonwealth Youth Games, she said: “I’m excited about this one. It’s an excellent opportunity to showcase my talent at the world level and compete against some of the world’s best.”
The Commonwealth Youth Games will also attract some top sprinters from countries such as Jamaica, Barbados and the Great Britain to name a few. Every athlete has an idol and Elizabeth is no exception.
She admitted her idol is Carmelita Jetter, a female American sprinter who became a champion in the 2011 IAAF World Championship and a threetime Olympic medallist.
Shama Mamae
Shama Mamae is one of the up and coming young female sprinters. The 19-year old is a fifth form student at the White River Community High School.
Unlike her other two team mates, in less than a month time, she’ll be attending the World University Games to be hosted in Gwangju City in South Korea from July 3 to 14. Her participation was through an invitation that came through the office National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI).
Shama said she is excited about this excellent.
“I feel proud and honoured to be selected. “This would be my first trip overseas and I’m excited about it,” said Shama, whose only exposure was the last edition of the National Athletics Championship.
Shama said she was shocked upon hearing the news that she was picked to attend the games.
“This is news to me. I was shocked when I was informed. But I feel great to be given this opportunity.”
Hailed from Malaita Province, she comes from a family of nine siblings (six boys and three girls). Shama became the sixth child.
She added: “I promise to perform to the best of my ability in the upcoming university games.”
“I want to put Solomon Islands up there. That is my whole aim.” Asked what her long term ambition is, she said:
“My dream is to compete at the Olympics. The Olympics is the highest sporting competition in the world. It would be a great honour for me if I get there one day. Who knows? Anything can happen.”
Meanwhile, Athletic Solomons Development Officer Joycelyn Taurikeni said the trio are very committed in their training and can only wish them all the best in the upcoming competitions.
Despite the difficulties faced in trying to get their athletes in shape, especially the poor running track condition they currently use for training, Ms Taurikeni said their passion keeps them going.
“We are passionate about what we are doing and despite not having adequate facilities, we will continue on to show who are in this sport and nothing will stop us,” she said.
In lamenting the fact that no female sprinter will show up for Solomon Islands in next month’s Pacific Games in PNG, Ms Taurikeni said they have to leave this behind but must focus on “what that lies ahead of us. That is only way forward.”
