Suva, June 14 – The Minister for youth and Sports Hon. Laisenia Tuitubou congratulates the Fiji Weightlifting Association for securing the rights to host the 2019 IWF Junior World Championships in Suva.
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Executive Board today, unanimously decided to award the hosting rights for the 2019 IWF Junior World Championships to Weightlifting Fiji and the city of Suva, FIJI.
Hon. Tuitubou received the announcement this afternoon and said; “This is good news for the sport of weightlifting and Fiji as a whole.”
“I extend Fiji’s appreciation to the President of the Weightlifting Fiji Atma Maharaj, Fiji’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Fiji to Japan, His Excellency, Mr Isikeli Mataitoga, and all that made this bid successful,” said Hon. Tuitubou.
“Government fully supports this bid and we will ensure that the event is a success comes 2019,” said the Sports Minister. “We have displayed in the past that we can successfully host international sporting events and I believe Fiji will be ready comes 2019.”
Hon Tuitubou also said that Fiji will be the first country in the Oceania and Pacific Island to organise and host a IWF World Championship, the last being held in 1993 in Melbourne, Australia.
Fiji Weightlifting President Atma Maharaj during the submission advised the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Executive Board that ONOC President, Dr Robin Mitchell and
Patron of Weightlifting Fiji has agreed to take the position of Organizing Committee Chair.
“This demonstrated the calibre of our organizing Team and added to the level of confidence for the Executive Board Members,” said Mr Maharaj.
“The IWF President and Secretary-General spoke enthusiastically about their warm welcome and the high quality of the Continental Qualification event for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games which Fiji hosted,” said Mr Maharaj. “This helped the newly elected Executive Board to gain confidence in Fiji’s ability to host this World event.”
The dates of the Championships will be confirmed by the IWF in the next few weeks and the event will expect 500 Athletes and Team Officials from more than 50 participating countries. Mr Maharaj added that together with the IWF Executive Board and Committees, Technical Officials, parents and supporters, this number is expected to exceed 700.
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