The Cook Islands sent a team of 18 athletes to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images

The Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) says it is hoping for a "positive" year in 2023, after difficulties in competing at major international competitions during 2022.

In a report to the CISNOC Board the organisation’s President Hugh Graham and secretary general Owen Lewis wrote: "There were some enormous difficulties in coordinating the team, travel and well-being of the team this year.

"Flights, rules, borders and requirements were constantly changing."

Graham and Lewis cited "astronomical costs" and difficulties with logistics without a travel agent on the island, as reported by Cook Islands News.

"This resulted in frustration for not only CISNOC staff but also the athletes and National Federations," Graham and Lewis wrote.

CISNOC sent a team of six athletes and two officials to the Pacific Mini Games in Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, with the nation winning three medals.

The Cook Islands had mixed results at international events such as the Commonwealth Games, due to preparation time and issues related to COVID ©Getty Images
The Cook Islands had mixed results at international events such as the Commonwealth Games, due to preparation time and issues related to COVID ©Getty Images

CISNOC also sent a team of 18 athletes and seven officials to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

"Results were mixed but given the preparation time and the issues of COVID, it was expected," Graham and Lewis added in their report.

The report also reflected on the success of last year’s Cook Islands Games, saying the Games "unite our country and continue to grow."

Graham and Lewis also praised the CISNOC Board for its help in approving a draft National Sport & Physical Activity Policy (NSPAP) and for reviewing the CISNOC Strategic Plan between 2019 and 2023.

"It is envisaged that the final copy of the NSPAP will be delivered to the Minister of Sport in mid-2023 and the Strategic Plan 2023-2028 will be in place by midway through 2023," Graham and Lewis wrote.

"In summary, in 2022 we are pleased to report that the organisation has continued to deliver and perform to the high standards that the Cook Islands, Oceania and International Olympic communities expect and deserve."