THE HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS
LAISENIA TUITUBOU

• The Australian High Commissioner, Ms. Margaret Twomey
• Your Excellencies, High Commissioners
• The President and officials of FASANOC
• Officials of ONOC
• Commonwealth Queens Baton Relay team
• Representatives and athletes from respective sporting bodies
• Volunteers
• Ladies and Gentlemen
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Bula vinaka, Namaste, Salaam aleikum and a very good evening to you all!

I am delighted to be here this evening at the Queen’s Baton Reception, a tangible way in which we demonstrate that Fiji is firmly part of the Commonwealth.

Ladies and Gentlemen, yesterday was once a defining moment in the sporting history of Fiji as we welcomed the Queen’s Baton Relay team at the Nadi International Airport.

As the Minister for Youth and Sports I was also privileged to be the first torch bearer this morning and I sincerely thank FASANOC for this kind gesture.

The Fijian Government is committed in creating an equal and fair society for everyone, built on the fundamental values of a nation free from prejudice, discrimination and victimization and tackling injustice and exclusion in all forms.

The Commonwealth Games values of humanity, equality and destiny are universal and cherished in Fiji. Fiji is committed to creating a modern, inclusive Fiji that fights to protect, respect and realise human rights, and we firmly believe that everyone is entitled to live with dignity.

The Fijian Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, ensures that we have an all-inclusive approach towards sports development in the country. We are ensuring that increasingly all Fijians receive equal access to sports and sporting facilities regardless of gender or ability.

Achieving equality is about much more than wheelchair ramps or braille signs – it is about changing attitudes and creating real equality and inclusion.

This is the essence of a human rights based approach which encourages participation, accountability, non-discrimination, seeks to empower individuals and recognises human rights standards.

While great strides have been made, we have much to do in Fiji to value our diversity, embrace tolerance and truly be the multicultural society we know we can be.

A deep sense of fairness runs in our veins and this Government is committed to tackling injustice and exclusion in all its forms.

The power of the Games brings people of different nations and cultures together to celebrate our commonality, humanity and diversity and to engage in that intercultural dialogue that enriches us all.

We have much to do to ensure that the real life experiences of all those in the Commonwealth are progressively raised to an ever higher standard.

With these words, I wish the 2018 Commonwealth Games great success and may the Games leave everlasting positive vibes across the Commonwealth.

Vinaka, Dhanyabad, Shokran and Thank you.