Ministers’ Meeting to provide a way forward for sports in the Pacific

The Ministry of Youth and Sports was provided an opportunity to present the overview of the draft Fiji Sports and Physical Activity Policy and its review process during the 5th Pacific Sports Ministers Meeting held in Vanuatu.

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Honourable Laisenia Tuitubou, presented the overview of the Fiji Sports and Physical Activity Policy and its review process with the aim to have it endorsed by the Cabinet in 2018.

He further stated that the draft Fiji Sports and Physical Activity Policy addresses the Pacific Sustainable Development Goals as well.

The Honourable Minister also invited fellow Sports Ministers to Fiji to prepare in advance for the Sports Ministers’ Meeting in Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games 2018.

“I would like to invite you to Fiji on your way to the Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Games taking place from 4 to 16 April 2018.”

“As you know, we have a Commonwealth Sports Ministers' Meeting in Gold Coast on 3 April 2018. The agenda requires a coordinated Pacific approach and this we can only do if we prepare ahead for the Meeting.” This offer was welcomed and accepted by the Ministers responsible for sport.

The Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu provided an opportunity to the Pacific Sports Ministers to discuss strategies to coordinate activities and policies in Pacific Island countries in the area of sports.

Fiji was commended for the work it had put in on the review of the draft National Sports and Physical Activity Policy, draft National Anti-Doping legislation which is near completion and Fiji participating in research to assess the “Case for Sports” in cooperation with Samoa, the Oceania National Olympic Committee and the University of the South Pacific. The “Case for Sports” research evaluates the social and economic benefits of sports in the both countries.