National Olympic Committee, Sports Manager, Robert Graham recognised for his support of Bodybuilding in the Cooks
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During a recent visit to Rarotonga in conjunction with the Pacific Games Assembly, senior bodybuilding officials; Paul Chua, Patron of the South Pacific Bodybuilding Federation (SPBBF), Secretary General of the Asian Bodybuilding Federation (ABBF) & World Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Federation (WBPF) and Philip Hope, President of the South Pacific Bodybuilding Federation, took the opportunity to recognise Robert Graham’s contribution to the sport of bodybuilding in the Cook Islands. Bodybuilding was in fact one of two sports codes that won a gold medal for the Cook Islands at the 2007 South Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa. At previous Games events Cook Islanders have done as well as 4th place in finals competition.
Philip Hope said ”For ten years Robert has played a huge role in aiding the development of all sports in the Cooks and we are sincerely grateful to him for his guardianship of bodybuilding (as well as other sports) which has enabled many Cook Islanders to compete for their home country at annual South Pacific Championships and also at Games events”. (Just last week Dean Teiho won a Gold medal in the Masters Division at the 2009 South Pacific Championships held in Tahiti 1st - 4th Oct). |
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| Pictured following a special Gold Medal presentation is – Robert Graham, NOC Sports Manager / 2009 PMG Sports Technical Advisor with the Cook Islands Sports & National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) being acknowledged by Paul Chua, Secretary General of the ABBF & WBPF and Philip Hope, President of the South Pacific Bodybuilding Federation. |
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Biography - Robert Graham Robert has been employed by CISNOC since 1999, has attended two Olympic Games (Sydney and Athens), he was appointed as Chef de Mission for 2003 Commonwealth Youth Games, also as Deputy Chef de Mission to the 2005 South Pacific Mini Games in Palau, and 2007 South Pacific Games in Samoa. Robert was the first Cook Islander to be a Technical Official at the Olympic Games, this was at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He is a member of the Rarotonga Referees Association (Rugby Union) and he has been actively involved in many other sports including Netball and Bowls. Story by: Secretary of the South Pacific Bodybuilding Federation - Siobahn Hope (O’Neill) s.hope@slingshot.co.nz |