ILIESA DELANA
Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports
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SPEECH AT WELCOMING OF THE BABY PEARLS
Nadi International Airport, on Thursday 20 July 2017
Head Coach Ms Vicki Wilson;
Team Officials,
Captain Episake Kahatoka and team members
Sponsors
Ladies and Gentlemen
Bula Vinaka and welcome home.
On behalf of Government, the Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Members of Cabinet and the Minister for Youth and Sports – I welcome you back to our shores this evening. My presence here this evening is in recognition of your excellent performance and achievement at the Netball Youth World Cup in Botswana.
This evening, my presence is to ascertain Government’s support, in ensuring athletes participate at international events, and also ascertain that we fully support the development of every sports and sportsmen and women alike. Government envisages that all its investment towards sports development will benefit athletes and also our economy.
Government, through its investment in international coaches have resulted in our Fiji winning its first ever Olympic Gold Medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. And this achievement at the Netball Youth World Cup is another.
Head Coach Ms Vicki Wilson, we are certainly looking forward to witnessing more fabulous developments and better results from Netball Fiji; and I believe that it can only get better. Fiji’s netball fans thank you and the coaching staff and management, for moulding a winning team in these girls. Hard work and dedication have paid off and you have placed Fiji in the top four – joining the best in the sport around the world.
Captain Episake Kahatoka and Baby Pearls’ team members, you have tasted high level competition and you are now hungry for more. You certainly displayed your talents and have exceled, and displayed courage while facing stiff competitions at the tournament.
No doubt, Netball Fiji also have proven that their special ingredient works – that is sticking together and working together – a true symbiotic relationship. You have understood each other and displayed a spirit that shone through tough times and have achieved wonderful results at the 2017 Netball Youth World Cup.
It’s been a tiring and hectic journey for all of you since last year. You deserve a break and time out for celebrations. For the Baby Pearls, your families are waiting to welcome you home with their own planned fanfare.
However, let me remind everyone that Fiji will host the next 2021 Netball Youth World Cup in Suva and I have no doubt that we will rise above our fourth place ranking. We will display our resolve not only in our ability to host international events, but the best of our athletic ability and prowess.
So again, congratulations to the Baby Pearls team, Coach Vicki Wilson and Netball Fiji. Vinaka Vakalevu and enjoy the rest of the evening.
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