Suva, 24 November - The Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, Honorable Iliesa Delana, officially handed over upgraded sporting grounds to the management of Dawasamu Secondary School and Filimoni Loco District School recently.
While handing over the sports facilities, the Assistant Minister reiterated Government’s commitment to sports development in the country.
“The Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, continues to provide support for the development of sporting facilities, grounds and youth development throughout Fiji,” he said.
“The UNDP estimates that in Fiji, the cost of non-communicable diseases the economy, like obesity, is between $200 and $400 million a year. It is thus essential that we all take responsibility for our own health.”
The Assistant Minister further stated the need for all Fijians to exercise more and lead a healthy lifestyle.
“We need to exercise more – at least 45 minutes of strenuous exercise a day. We need to eat a healthier diet,” the Assistant Minister said.
“In this way, we can contribute to reducing the cost of NCDs to our economy and put that money to other equally important issues like running water, electricity (particularly solar power), improving our infrastructure – including our sports infrastructure.”
He further stated that people needed to participate in sports activities, in more places, more often to improve our health.
The Dawasamu Secondary School Principal, Mr. Jone Cama, acknowledged the assistance received from the Ministry.
“The school would like to thank the Government, the Minister for Youth and Sports and the Assistant Minister for the kind development of our school ground,” he said.
“The school was established in 2005 without any school playground and most of our games and students training were held in Natalaira Village playground,” Mr. Cama said.
“Today the Dawasamu Secondary School students and the community of Dawasamu and Nakorotubu witnessed the opening of our school ground – this will greatly assist the people of Dawasamu especially the students in being physically active.”