THE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS
HONOURABLE PARVEEN KUMAR BALA
Wednesday, 4th November 2020, 11:30AM
• DO Taveuni
• The Head of School and staff
• The Management Board of the School;
• Parents and Guardians;
• Invited Guests
• Dear Students
Bula vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
I’ve just arrived in from the capital and may I just say it is an absolute pleasure to be in Taveuni this morning with all of you for this handing over ceremony.
Today I am very pleased to handover the Niusawa Methodist Primary and Highchool Ground. I will also be handing over grant, which comes under the Youth Farm Initiative program, to the ‘Veilomani Youth Club’.
At the outset, I wish to thank the Management for the traditional welcoming ceremony accorded to me and my team.
Ladies and Gentlemen, 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic happened and is still happening. The Lockdown was imposed in certain areas as a measure to contain the spread of the COVID-19, but for us here in Fiji we have moved on and Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is committed to enhance the development of sports and recreational activity in the country. Earlier this year, the Ministry completed the review exercise of the National Sports and Recreational Activity Policy. Members of the public submitted their thoughts, opinions and suggestions regarding sports development and recreational activity which will come in force early next year.
Sports help to create well-rounded and well-mannered individuals.
Teachers and schools need to be agents of this change and impress on the young minds of our youths the need to stay fit and healthy and adopt this as life-long learning to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Ministry through its Sports Development Program, handover of several playing fields and sports equipment shows our commitment to the Governments agenda to ensure our youths and children are provided with the learning environment that prepares them well for the future.
This upgrade ensured the ground meets required standards and size. It is the commitment of the Ministry to ensure that we provide the best investment in sports development and sports facilities for our youths and children who are valuable assets for the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the school together with the Ministry had worked tirelessly in making sure that this school ground is developed and we are here today to witness the handing over of this Government Project back to the School Management of Niusawa Primary and Secondary School and we thank you for your support and dedication.
This was done, of course, with the support from youths and the community –thank you.
Ladies and Gentlemen, there is overwhelming evidence demonstrating that increasing physical activity and physical fitness improve academic performance through time in the school day dedicated to recess, physical education classes, and physical activity in the curriculum. Some academics and researchers have also concluded that mathematics and reading are the subjects that are most influenced positively by physical activity.
Teachers also know that children who participate in vigorous - or moderate - intensity physical activity benefit the most. Therefore, within the time allotted for learning, students should be encouraged to take physical activity breaks that are developmentally, age and ability appropriate.
Physical education gives more opportunities at an early age to develop hand-eye coordination, muscle and skeleton development, balance, team spirit for all young people, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities. It is also key to promoting healthy living thus fostering an active and healthy Fiji.
On the other hand Ladies and Gentlemen, I am also very pleased to handover to the Veilomani Youth Club farming tools and vegetable seedlings. With the materials that I will handover to them today, a total of 22 youths will benefit from the assistance. With root crop farming as their main source of income, this farming assistance will only add value to their farming activities. Previously ,the Veilomani Youth Club managed to harvest around 4 tonnes of dalo with an income of $12,000 .From this proceed, they had employed 10 youths to plant more dalos which also enabled them to purchase weedicide, and farming implements.
Currently, they have 10,000 dalo tops planted which will be ready for harvest in the next three (3) months.
With those few words, I hope you will maintain your sports ground and ensure that it is utilised to its maximum use for the people of Niusawa and nearby communities too. I hope it brings you many hours of fun-filled activity as the students come together to enjoy healthy living.
Vinaka vakalevu, and thank you all very much.
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