Athletes pull out of games

EAST Timorese athletes scheduled to travel to Casey this month for the Edwin Flack Games have confirmed they will not be able to attend.
A representative of the two teams has expressed his sincerest gratitude to everyone involved in raising the funds that would have enabled the players to come.
Gabriel Ximenes, the club’s president in East Timor, via official correspondence said it would have been an honour and pleasure for their group to participate in the games.
But due to the current political crisis in the unstable country, he said it was with sadness that he extended his sincerest apologies for not being able to take part, and offered many thanks for everyone’s consideration and generosity.
None of the funds donated by local businesses, service clubs and individuals to bring the athletes to Casey has been spent. Following the athletes’ withdrawal, it has been decided that donors will be able to either receive a full refund of the money donated or redirect the funds towards the Friends of Ermera Association to help with program work in East Timor.
Donors can also choose to redirect their pledge to the 2006 Edwin Flack Games or future City of Casey Sister City and Friendship Exchanges. The Edwin Flack organising committee has also extended their sympathies to the entire group at the unfortunate turn of events in East Timor and said they hoped in due course that Ermera athletes could participate in a future visit to Casey.
The committee is now planning to cater for a reduced number of athletes.
The US team from Springfield, Ohio, which is Casey’s sister city, have confirmed they will no longer be bringing their theatre troop of 10-12 people due to financial constraints.
However, Springfield will still compete in the basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, baseball, golf and long-distance running events, but no tennis players are on their final list.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, councillor Wayne Smith said it was a real shame that the East Timorese athletes could not come.
“They were really looking forward to it. It would have been the trip of a lifetime.
“I hope that the money raised to get them here can be set aside for another time they can come.
“The Games are still going ahead but it is very disappointing that our friends from East Timor won’t be able to join us,” Cr Smith said.