The Queen’s baton is in the island nation of Kiribati after spending two days in Nauru.
After touching down in Nauru Wednesday from Singapore, the baton was officially presented to the Nauru Commonwealth Games association, which coordinated Thursday’s relay around the island.
Maranda Stephen, daughter of Nauru Commonwealth Games association president and seven-time gold medallist Marcus Stephen, conducted the ceremonial firing of the gun at Linkbelt Oval.
President Baron Waqa began the relay by handing the baton to Minister for Sport Tawaki Kam. It then passed through the hands of other dignitaries including chief justice Filimone Jitoko, Parliamentary speaker Cyril Buramen, Australian high commissioner John Donnelly and China/Taiwan ambassador Joseph Chow before starting the round-island relay.
During the course of the day, the baton passed through all 14 districts of Nauru and was presented to members of the country’s 12 tribes.
Nauru’s Commonwealth Games Chef de Mission Dr Kieren Keke said a variety of baton bearers was chosen by each of the communities.
“We left it up to the communities to choose their own baton bearers,” said Dr Keke.
“There were young people, elders, people with disabilities, church representatives, community leaders, sports identities and MPs.”
The round-island relay ended where it had started at Linkbelt Oval where a closing ceremony was held.
There was a parade of flags and a performance by Nauru College students before a closing prayer.
The Queen’s baton is now in Kiribati.
It will then travel to Niue where it will remain until Friday.
Photo supplied