Speaking to Star Sports yesterday SIPC general secretary, Casper Pule said the decision to make the switch from the New Zealand Paralympics competition to the Queensland State competition came after they received confirmation from New Zealand wand it had not met one of their main aims.
“Nothing is wrong with participating in the competition in New Zealand.
“The idea to make the switch was for the purpose of getting all the Solomon Islands athletes with disabilities to be internationally classified.
“There will not be any internationally classifiers at the games in New Zealand so we had to cancel it,” he explained.
He said it was confirmed the Queensland State AWD Championship will have the presence of international classifiers during the games.
Pule clarified the classification of athletes will take place from March 27 to March 29 three days prior to the kick off date for the competition.
The classification of the athletes with disabilities is one vital requirement for full qualification to participate in the upcoming London Paralympics Games this year.
So far only Benjamin Vae is the only athlete with disability who has been internationally classified.
Pule concluded that participating in the Queensland State Championship is not only aimed at classifying the athletes but also a lead up in preparation for the London Paralympics Games.
“Participating in the competition will help the athletes get the feel of how the London Paralympics Games will be like,” he said.
The SIPC is looking at sending four or even five athletes to the London Paralympics Games.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
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