Fijians have been reminded of the importance of staying away from performance enhancing substances in sports.

Ministry of Youth and Sports Permanent Secretary, Mr Rovereto Nayacalevu, while officiating at the opening of the Suva Muslim Sports Association Futsal Tournament in Suva today, said the Ministry has taken a step forward in the National Anti-Doping Policy.

“As big brothers in the Pacific Region, we have to show our fellow Pacific Islanders the best practices in sports and create a clean sporting environment with clean athletes and officials in the Pacific,” Mr Nayacalevu said.

He urged Fijians not to let their guards down as the third wave of the COVID-19 has been identified in other parts of the world and move with the mind-set that “every person we come into contact with may be positive”.

“The Government regards sports as a multi tool. It is an employment opportunity pathway; it helps keep us fit; it also promotes values on teamwork- discipline, integrity, leadership, will to win and make a healthy nation as sports is an intervention used in the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases.”

Mr Nayacalevu also highlighted that though we have also just experienced the impacts of the pandemic, Fijians have collectively adhered to the safety protocols which has resulted in bringing Fijians to the green zone as it is called under the Resumption of Sports Framework.

He thanked and acknowledged the Fiji Football Association (FFA) for being one of the first national sporting organisation to be certified with the Safe Sports Certification.

FFA has also been certified under the Resumption of Sports Framework for 2021.

“This certification has allowed all football clubs and associations to return to training and return to play like what we are witnessing here this morning,” Mr Nayacalevu said.