ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS HONOURABLE ALIPATE TUICOLO NAGATA,
Multipurpose Courts, Suva
Friday 23rd October, 2020, 8:00AM,
• The Sports Development Manager Fiji – Mr Joji Liga
• The President of Fiji Volleyball Federation – Mr Liga Gukisuva
• The Organizing Committee of the Lakeba Volleyball Tournaments,
• Team Managers
• Coaches and Athletes
• Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning to you all.
It is my pleasure to be here with you on this wonderful evening. I would like to begin by thanking the organising committee for the invitation extended to me to be a part of the Official opening of the Lakeba Volleyball Tournament.
As the Assistant Minister, I wish to extend my congratulatory messages to the Lakeba Volleyball participants for being the first from the maritime island to have such an event whereby the winners and runners up allocate prizes at quarter final level.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Please allow me to delve into the notion that sports such as volleyball can personify. The sport of Volleyball is one that is played by the largest number of the population here in Fiji. People of all ages and abilities can play indoors and outdoors on a beach and that is evident here in Fiji. Like all sports, it encompasses the very same ideas and represents some of the highest human ideals. Fair play is important, there are rules against cheating, and everyone strives for his or her best, unaided by anything but their strength and spirit, to prove how they are the finest athletes in their sport. It is participative and competitive but rule-based; it is meaningless if it does not include everyone; and the biggest reward is often being part of the fun and bliss that comes with participating in sporting activities.
Sport’s value as a social connector is one of its most powerful development attributes. Sport is an inherently social process bringing together players, teams, coaches, volunteers and spectators. Sport creates extensive horizontal webs of relationships at the community level, and vertical links to national governments, sport federations, and international organizations for funding and other forms of support. These community sport networks, when inclusive, are an important source of social networking, helping to combat exclusion and fostering community capacity to work collectively to realize opportunities and address challenges. Programs that reflect the best values of sport — fair play, teamwork, cooperation, respect for opponents, and inclusion — reinforce this process by helping participants to acquire values and life skills consistent with positive social relationships, collaborative action, and mutual support. This is why I must thank all who are present here tonight for choosing to take up the sport of volleyball, either as a pass time or as an official, technical assistant, volunteer or player. You embody the best qualities that sport has to offer.
Volleyball as you may know was first introduced in Fiji in the 1940’s during the Second World War by American soldiers whilst on attachment duties in Fiji and who were based in Nadi where the international airport is today. The sport was initially only played in the Western Division especially in Nadi and Lautoka. Fast-forward 30 years later in 1970 and the Fiji Volleyball Federation was born and as I have alluded to earlier, it is played in all communities, villages and schools around the country and to date, the Fiji Volleyball Federation governs 13 district volleyball associations from across Fiji, the furthest being Vatukoula Volleyball Association.
This volleyball tournament brings together a total of 40 registered teams comprising of 24 men’s team and 16 women’s team. The objective of this tournament is to provide as much exposure of our players and officials to another standard level up from the 2017 outreach program. This platform will help you the participants showcase their talent and open pathways to national level.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Ministry provides assistance through Sports Trainings, equipment and development of sports facilities: we assist National Sporting Organisations through sports funding to further develop athletes’ skills and enhance their talents and includes international sports tours and hosting’s – to promote innovation in sports.
I am optimistic that this tournament will be a memorable and successful one .Rest assured that you have the full support of Government as tournaments such as these showcases the lovely scenery our beautiful country has to offer and boosts our tourism earnings.
Before I conclude, I would like to remind you all about the new normal times that we are currently living through. You are all champions of the SAFE SPORTS FIJI protocols and COVID 19 protocols. We are counting on you to be role models in your various communities and areas of operation.
Finally, I wish all the participating teams the best. May you play to the best of your abilities and showcase great sportsmanship throughout the two-day tournament.
With those words, I have much pleasure in officially opening the Lakeba Volleyball Tournament.
-Thank you and Vinakavakalevu-