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WHALE COVE
The community of Whale Cove is trying its best to keep the Kivalliq Inuit Games alive. The Games were last held in 2010 in Whale Cove.

September of 2012 will mark twice in the past three years rec co-ordinator Chris Jones and the community of Whale Cove have stepped up to host the Kivalliq Inuit Games. - NNSL file photo

Rec co-ordinator Chris Jones said the Games will be held again in Whale Cove on the Sept. 14 weekend.

He said each community may enter up to 10 athletes, and will be expected to provide one judge.

"Most of the cost for getting the athletes here is being taken care of between our recreation department and Sport Nunavut," said Jones.

"We had between 50 to 60 people come in when we hosted it in 2010, so we're hoping for at least that many again this time.

"We had a great response from the community in 2010, but it was my first Inuit Games as rec co-ordinator and I didn't always know what was going on.

"I understand what's going on now, so this event should run a lot better."

The Games will feature 12 events for both male and female athletes in junior, senior and elder divisions.

Jones said the vast majority of the athletes will be billeted, with space in the community hall being provided for those who don't have a place to stay.

He pulls no punches when it comes to his opinion on why the Games have lost their popularity during the past few years.

"It's a lot of work to host the Games and they're not going to be held if people aren't willing to work.

"That's the reason, plain and simple.

"I tried to pick them up last year, when I realized no other community was going to, but it was a little too late."

Jones said while the community is definitely pleased to be hosting the Inuit Games again, all talk right now is on another big event Whale is having on July 27.

He said the hamlet is holding both a floor hockey and a giant $10,000 (first place) poker tournament that weekend.

"The floor hockey will be four-on-four with each team allowed up to eight players and a goalie.

"The hockey games will end by 8 p.m., which is when the poker will begin.

"This is the third year for the hockey tournament, and we're hoping the $100 buy-in Texas hold 'em tournament will help attract more teams from the other communities.

"We already know there will be three boats from Arviat coming in, and one team from Coral Harbour, and we're hoping Rankin Inlet will be sending some people as well."

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