Whale Cove (Aug 09/06) - The tiny Hamlet of Chesterfield Inlet is the biggest player in the region when it comes to the Kivalliq Traditional Summer Games.

Chester will be defending its title this coming week when 70 athletes from across the region descend upon Whale Cove for the 2006 edition of the Games.

Tootoo Tanuyak set a new record of 8'8" during the one-foot-high-kick competition at the 2005 Kivalliq Traditional Summer Games in Arviat. - NNSL file photo

Led by Greg and Tootoo Tanuyak, Chester retained its title at the 2005 Games in Arviat with 183 points, 47 more than its closest competitor, Baker Lake, which placed second with 136 points.

The host Whale team will be out to improve upon its third-place finish in Arviat, which saw it nip Rankin Inlet by a single point (109-108) to claim the bronze.

All seven Kivalliq hamlets have been confirmed for the 2006 event, with each community being represented by 10 athletes and an official.

Each hamlet will have two male and female athletes in the senior and junior divisions, as well as one male and female elder athlete.

The official opening, community feast and square dance will be held on Aug. 16, with the Games running Aug. 17-21.

Whale rec co-ordinator Sheba Arualak says the hamlet is as ready as it will ever be to host the Games.

Arualak has been preparing for the event for the past month, in addition to her other recreational duties.

"The Games will remain pretty much the same as every year, and we've ordered in the T-shirts and medals," says Arualak.

"The events will be held in our new gym and at the baseball diamond.

"The only real difference for us (rather) than some of the larger communities is the lack of facilities, but I think everyone will enjoy themselves here this year."

The 2006 Games were originally scheduled for Coral Harbour, but the hamlet lost its spot in the rotation because it didn't send a team to the 2005 Games due to financial difficulties.

Each community must pay $1,500 to register their teams for the event.

Arualak says the community-registration fees go towards the purchase of medals and T-shirts for the Games.