THE HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS
MR LAISENIA TUITUBOU

Address at Launch of FASANOC Lottery for Team Fiji, at Fiji Olympic House on Friday 03rd March at 6.00pm.  

•    The Secretary General and CEO of FASANOC
•    Executive Board and members of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee;
•    2017 Team Fiji Chef de Mission;
•    Athletes, coaches, family and friends
•    Ladies and Gentlemen
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Bula vinaka, Namaste and a very good evening to you all.

I would like to begin by thanking the organisers for the invitation and I am indeed honoured and exceptionally pleased to be here as Minister for Youth and Sports.

Ladies and gentlemen, the launch of this National Lottery this evening, as you all know, is part of the fundraising efforts for Team Fiji. Funds raised through the lottery will assist with your preparation and participation for upcoming Games to be held this year, namely the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas, the 5th Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan, the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu and onwards to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. I take this opportunity once again to acknowledge the organisers for the prudence and vision on such fundraising initiatives.

Following on from Team Fiji’s success at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the Rugby 7s Men’s historic Gold Medal win that put Fiji on the worldwide sporting map, I acknowledge the combined efforts by the National Federations, FASANOC and Government in sending our Team Fiji as representatives of our fine sporting nation as being a worthwhile cause. One that needs the support of individuals and organisations alike to raise the funds needed for full preparation and participation of Team Fiji at international sporting events.

We are well aware of the pride that donning the national sporting uniform brings to the fortunate as it is written all over their faces every chance they get to fly the Fijian flag. I urge you as sportsmen and women to continue to strive for the best in your sporting fields and to dedicate your performances to your loved ones who are an eternal source of inspiration and no doubt admire your achievements.  I also call upon the coaches and administrators to give your full support to the athletes as we build an athlete centred culture in Fijian sport.

Let me reiterate the Fijian Government’s commitment to oversee the development of sports in the country. This commitment has seen the same sporting excellence developed and demonstrated the world over. Just this week, we launched the National Sports and Physical Activity Policy Survey as we aim to develop a guiding document that steers the development of sports in our country and takes it to new heights. All of you in this room have a key part to play in ensuring we achieve broad consultation through this survey as we rely on your feedback to ensure that a wide array of public and sporting opinion is encompassed in the process.

The development of sports is a key platform that is essential in Government’s effort to lay a solid foundation for our young people. In this respect, the Fijian Government will provide unwavering support to harness sport development in Fiji in every form.

This is indicative of Government’s support to all sporting bodies in the country and the National Federations which represent each sport.

I would like to take this opportunity once again to thank you for the unending enthusiasm of the executive board in launching this fundraising drive. Through your efforts, and the support of the country, Fiji will be well represented in this year’s Games and all Games to come.

Therefore sport is in every form a major part of national development as it fuels unity and social inclusion in our respective communities. May I add that this is also a good time to think about what you will do as the National Sports and Wellness Day is on 30 June this year and our focus is to get all our communities active on that day and every day subsequently.

I wish you well in your preparations for all Games and may you all do yourselves and our country proud come the all the events earmarked for Team Fiji’s participation.

I now have much pleasure in launching the FASANOC Lottery for Team Fiji by purchasing the first booklet.

Vinaka Vakalevu.