Suva, January 22 –Representatives from the New Zealand High Commission this week met with officials of the Ministry of Youth & Sports to gauge Government’s role in sports in the country as well as identify areas to render their assistance towards.

Deputy High Commissioner, Amanda Vercoe and Policy officer, Justine Roberts met with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth & Sports, Josefa Sania, the Director, William Naisara and other senior officers of the Ministry in Suva.

Ms. Vercoe said they were looking at developing initiatives to look at sports for children in the Pacific region.

“It is currently in its planning stages and to apply our programme we are keen to get some input from potential countries,” Ms. Vercoe said.

She said the current key focus is that they would be looking at children aged five to twelve and using sports and physical activities as a vehicle for a healthier lifestyle.

“The programme is being looked at to roll out in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in the first instance and we’re looking at a combination of sports programmes for established sporting clubs and assessing available infrastructure and potentially establish new structures where they are required,” Ms. Vercoe said.

She said they were also looking at cooperating with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to build on already existing activities and programmes and to provide some extra activities as well that promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyles.