THE HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS
MR. PARVEEN BALA KUMAR
9:00am Saturday 09th March 2019 MATUA ROOM, GPH
• President, Oceania National Olympic Committee,
• President FASANOC,
• Executive Chairman, Fiji National Sports Commission & Chairman Fiji Sports Council.
• Executive and members of Fiji’s National Sports Organisations.
• Ladies and Gentlemen.
Since the Fiji First Government established the Fiji National Sports Commission in 2013, I am pleased to learn that this is the 7th Annual National Sports Organisation Conference that the Commission has hosted. It clearly shows the importance placed in sports and physical activity in Fiji.
The benefits are obvious to all and as can be seen by all of those present today, that our vision and reason for the establishment of the Sports Commission has been realised.
In January 2013 the Decree to establish the Commission was signed “in order to guide and enhance the delivery of sports programmes in Fiji through a coordinated approach at all levels.”
This annual NSO Conference clearly shows that with the support of everyone present here we have a coordinated approach in sports.
Sports has always been an important and integral part of our life in Fiji, but we now see that Government working through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Sports Commission and all Fiji’s national sports organisations just what can be achieved through working together –
- We are tackling the NCD health issues through sports and physical activity through Nationwide rural and urban wellness and fitness leader programs, Our work here is never done and we will continue to deliver programs to combat NCD’s.
- We have established sports clubs and associations throughout Fiji to empower our youths through sports offering them pathways to achievements and employment,
- Last year funding was provided for the establishment of Sports Development units in our urban areas. This came from our realisation of a large urban drift of our youth and that through sports and working with our community police units we are able to tackle and reduce the crime trend.
- The coordinated approach between NSO’s and the Commission in training our sports people to not just strive to be athletes but also to learn the skills of being trained coaches, technical officials, umpires and referees is showing benefits and providing income streams for those trained, unrealised before.
- When the Sports Commission commenced Outreach programs in our rural areas in 2013 the sad discovery was of how many of our people with disabilities and special needs were in some cases being hidden and excluded from any activity programs.
The importance of an inclusive approach was quickly established and it is pleasing to note now, that a large number of NSO’s have included inclusive sports and I encourage all NSO’s to have an inclusive approach as inculcated in our constitution.
As the President farewelled our Special Olympics team last Thursday, to the World Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi he adopted and described them all as “people with determination”. Let’s not forget the achievements made by Iliesa Delana, a “determined” member of my last government who came home with our First Gold medal from the London Paralympics.
- And as a small island nation we have indeed come far in achieving our highest sporting objective of winning Gold at Olympic level. And may I say that I am extremely proud of FNSC’s role in our Gold medal win that our Sevens team achieved.
All of this has been made possible through a supportive Government and the establishment of the Fiji National Sports Commission working with all our nations’ sports organisations.
Your NSO conference this year with the theme “the Business of Sports” clearly shows how sports has developed. Never before has our sports industry considered such a strong statement but this is in line with Governments objective of transparency and accountability. In this day and age of Good Governance deliverables, all NSO’s are encouraged to undergo training to run their respective organisations like a business with the ultimate goal being a Gold medal for themselves, their sport and our country on the international stage.
No longer is it just playing tag or volleyball in the village, that’s just the start of a pathway to success, a pathway nurtured by all our NSO’s, and supported by the Commission and Government.
It is about business and we must take a business approach to all sports as now it has become a major income source for our athletes, coaches, technical officials and referees.
Government has realised the huge impact our sports people are making through remittances being sent back to the country estimated at nearly a third of all annual remittances received.
Our commitment to ensuring Fiji has the best in sports facilities, to enable us to host events, has seen our commitment to upgrading and establishing new facilities throughout the country, including our commitment to new indoor arenas in Lautoka, Nasinu and in Suva, to the new 50 metre and 25metre pools and the new international running track in Lautoka. A boxing gym is soon to be established in Suva.
Fiji is becoming the Hub of the Pacific for sports and Government and the Commission is currently working with various sports to establish their regional and Oceania training centres in the country.
We are working and planning for the establishment of a National Sports Academy and land has been identified for this to proceed.
I encourage all NSO’s here today to please show their support for these projects as we can only achieve them through working together and with everyone’s input.
Through NSO’s hosting of international tournaments and events in Fiji there is an economic return to our whole community.
Government has seen these benefits and continues to support all sports, providing they meet the grant criteria, in bringing international events to Fiji.
That is the business of sports, but it doesn’t just bring economic benefits to the country, it shows the country off, it sells all we have to offer and that’s why we have been supporting Sports Tourism and the large professional sports events such as the Fiji Professional Golf Open, and the annual Super Rugby event.
I note that one of your speakers and panellists is from Tourism Fiji, that again shows that our biggest industry, Tourism, is seeing the benefits of sports in Fiji, it is a growing business, but its success and growth for the country and the economy depends on partnerships through the NSO’s, corporate sponsors, our overseas partners, and Government.
Today I wish you well and look forward to the outcomes of this conference.
Please rest assured of Government s continued support for sports in Fiji and we acknowledge the benefits that the country receives through sports.
Thank you, Vinaka Vakalevu, Dhanyavaad