Omar, Dillay head to Grand Prix

Sprinter Tyrone Omar and hurdler Dexter Dillay embarked on another journey that will surely be memorable as the two will take part in the 2006 Oceania Grand Prix Series.

The Grand Prix will kick off on Dec. 9 at Xavier College in Nadi, Fiji. The two will then take part in another competition on Dec. 11 at the Lawaqa Fiji Sports Council Grounds in Sigatoka, Fiji. The second race was originally planned to be held at the Post Stadium in Laucala Bay, Suva, but was moved due to the ongoing conflict between the Fiji government and the country’s military.

The competitors will then head to Apia, Samoa for the third and final leg of the Series, which will be held in conjunction with the 2006 Oceania Under 18/Open Championships.

“This is going to be another one of those experiences that I will always remember,” said the 19-year-old Omar. “I’m looking forward to doing my best as I represent the CNMI, and I am interested in learning more so that I could improve.”

Dillay, who resides on Capital Hill, shared similar comments, explaining that the Grand Prix will serve as a big challenge for him as he will compete three times within a week, but looks forward to the experience.

“I’m representing the CNMI so I’m going to go out there and do the best I could,” he said. “I’m just going to have fun and enjoy the experience, and try to learn and pick up tips from others.”

Both are experienced in international competitions, with Omar recently competing in the World Indoor Championships in Moscow and the 11th World Juniors track and Field Championships in Beijing earlier this year. Both also competed and won medals in the 6th Micronesian Games and the Micronesian Athletics Championships, while Dillay also competed in the 2005 South Pacific Mini Games in Palau.

Oceania Athletics Association covered all expenses for the two athletes, except for entrance fees, which only total $774.

Details on the OAA website showed that 80 nominations were received by OAA from around the region.

“The Series, which is supported by the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC), gives island federation athletes an opportunity to compete at the very highest level for prize money across each of the disciplines. In 2006, there were more than 80 nominations received from around the Pacific, making this year’s selection the most sought after to date. ONOC’s continued generous support of the Series ensures the growth of the sport in our region,” a statement on the Oceania Athletics website read.

Papua New Guinea heads the selection with 13 athletes, while Fiji has nine athletes but the delegation is expected to grow with local athletes for the Dec. 9 and Dec. 11 events.

The Grand Prix team will also be joined by athletes from the Oceania High Performance Training Centre.

Aside from Dillay and Omar, the Series will feature athletes such as Jack Howard of the Federated States of Micronesia and Justin Andre of Guam, who have both competed on Saipan for the Micronesia Athletics Championships and the 6th Micronesian Games.

Others include Leslie Copeland, Filipo Delai, Waisea Finau, Isireli Naikelikelivesi, Isiela Namosimalua, Rajendra Prasad, and Niko Verekatuta of Fiji; Beteri Ateri, Harry Highland, and Tekoaki Teieka of Kiribati; JJ Capelle of Nauru; Henry Ben, Mowen Boino, Lloyd Bureng, Andrew Doonar, Wally Kirika, Anton Lui, Fabian Niulai, and Andrew Yeweh of Papua New Guinea; Stellio Tauraa and Kader Touati of Tahiti; Setafano Mika of Samoa; Jack Iroga, Cris Walasi, and Francis Manioru of Solomon Islands; Aisea Vakameilalo and Esau Vakameilalo of Tonga, and Moses Kamut of Vanuatu.

The female competitors are Margaret Teiti and Teriapi Tapoki of the Cook Islands; Makelesi Bulikiobo, Soko Salaniqiqi, and Maria Tawake of Fiji; Mystique Jone of Nauru; Raphaela Baki, Betty Burua, Salome Del, Mae Koime, Cecilia Kumalalamene, and Toea Wisil of Papua New Guinea; Terani Faremiro and Veronique Boyer of Tahiti; Talava Tavui of Samoa; and Ana Po’hila and Latai Sikuvea of Tonga.

The Grand Prix Series will be strengthened by the addition of a strong team from North Australia that will compete in Fiji before heading to Samoa for the Championships. Amongst those athletes will be 100m under-18 champion Lars Hansen and under-18 javelin champion Rachel Phillips.

The Grand Prix squad will be accompanied by Nehemaia Kakauraka’atui of Tonga, Rianimarewe Betero of Kiribati, and Sophia Marai of Papua New Guinea, who make up the coach and management team.