Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports
Mr. Rovereto Nayacalevu
Official Address at Suva
Saturday, 4th December, 2021, 10:45am
• Chairman , Fiji National Rugby League
• Chief Executive Officer, Fiji National Rugby League;
• Community of Top Line, Nabua
• Partners and Sponsors of the 2021 Topline Family Fun Day
• Fellow Speakers
• Invited Guests;
• Youth and Children;
• Ladies and Gentlemen;
Ni sa bula yadra vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
What a beautiful morning it is today. As I look around and see the different colours and smiles on faces, it shows a warm welcome to all of us and it shows the great unity and atmosphere that we are here together to participate and enjoy today’s in. I am indeed delighted to be here this morning to officiate the Topline Community Fun Day.
I would like to thank all those present here today and those who have made positive contribution towards the empowerment and the development of our youths especially our young women and girls in your community and around the country.
Yes we are all unique and that is a beautiful thing but we all share a common mission of promoting the well-being of the youth. Today is an excellent opportunity for all of us to get together through the sports. A big Thank You to the Fiji National Rugby League and National Rugby League for organizing this event today as you have done for other parts of the country in the days to come.
This is a feat in itself because Fiji is a predominantly rugby union playing country and the increased popularity of the sport of rugby league is something that you can all confidently say you had a contributing hand towards.
I believe that the establishment of such an environment is conducive to promote unity, harmony and good relationship that will definitely boost the morale of the youth.
Ladies and Gentlemen, sports have long been regarded as an important enabler. For us in the Pacific, it has proven to be a unifier as well, bringing our different communities together in an inclusive way. We Pacific Islanders have witnessed first-hand how it can bring people together and set our differences aside. This was evident in the achievements of our brothers and sister in Rugby Union at the recent Tokyo Games this year.
On that note, I also wish to reiterate Government’s unending support towards the development of all sports and the promotion of Sport for Development programs like the one we are here to participate in today.
Sports is an avenue to boost and enhance the development skills and values that will be beneficial to any individual for a long time. I commend you for having carefully given thought to this event as an innovation to progress grassroots communities in providing opportunities for youth through sports.
Fijian athletes have fallen victim on both sides of the law when it comes to Gender Based Violence. Just recently we had engaged our Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Officer to the Suva Rugby Union competition to talk about the same issues and how we can prevent our athletes and officials to fall victim to such offences. This goes to show that Sports is not immune to Gender Based Violence which is why I am here with you today - and why the Ministry of Youth and Sports has continuously strived to deliver these initiatives and other similar programs all year round.
I understand that this initiative is a collaborate effort bt many partners and for that I would like to thank you all. This year the Ministry participated in the development of the National Action Plan on Ending Violence against Women and Children. We reiterated that sports is a sector that is neglected and we are thankful to the facilitators in taking sports on board and using sports as a tool to advocate for preventative measures and Ending Violence Against Women and Children.
The Ministry is about to complete the work on the National Sports, Recreational Activity and Physical Activity Policy with one of the Call To Action items is the establishment of the Sports Tribunal and Arbitration Unit that will look into and also criminalise such Gender Based Violence reports that is raised by athletes and sporting organisation.
Voice Against Violence program not only advocates for women and girls, but also to the communities that need help and guidance to contribute to a healthy and harmonious living environment.
It is aimed at informing and empowering young men and women (aged 16 years or older) to stand up, speak out and take action against domestic violence.
The program also looks to change behavior towards gender-based violence with the outcome to educate and engage young men and women through program activities and community projects. When we encourage individual behavioural change, it also promotes positive messaging around the prevention of violence in our communities and homes.
Before I conclude, we are here a Family Fun Day with the keyword being “FUN”. I encourage you all to laugh as loud as you can, motivate each other, volunteer wherever and whenever you can so together we are showing our children the right values and principles for a better life.
I know you are here to play and enjoy games so I would like to say enjoy every bit of time you spend here today and make new friends.
Aboveall, we are still not free from the COVID19 pandemic so please, adhere to the protocols in place set up the organizers and take extra precaution.
Thank you and vinaka vakalevu.