Cash rewards will be given to teams/players for winning medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics in August.

This was announced by the Attorney General and Minister for Finance, Public Service and Public Enterprise Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in his 2016-17 Budget address last night.

The total allocation for the Ministry for Youth and Sports is $16.4 million.

“Our athletes don’t need an extra incentive to go for gold, but we think that they might appreciate the reward,” he said.

“So we have set aside funds for cash rewards of up to $30,000 to any of the Olympian who brings home a medal just to show how the country appreciates their dedication. A total of $0.5 million has been set aside for this incentive.”

$30,000 will be given to players winning gold, $20,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze medal.

Saiyed–Khaiyum made special mention of the advantages of hosting regional and international events in Fiji.

Fiji already hosted the Pacific Rugby Cup, Oceania Volleyball Championship, Oceania Weightlifting, Pacific Nations Cup, Oceania Swimming.  The upcoming events are the Hockey World League and Chief–Crusaders Super Rugby match next week and the Fijian International in October.

“Hosting events and meets not only provide exposure for our athletes and our youths but it also has a multiplier effect to our economy.

“The president of the International Weightlifting Federation was here recently for the Oceania Weightlifting Competition and was so impressed with our country and our organisation of the event.

“He is now talking with Fiji Weightlifting on the possibility of hosting World Weightlifting Championships here in 2018.”

“We have budgeted $1.9 million to host various international and regional meets in the 2016-2017 Budget.

He said sports promote national unity, youth development, healthy lifestyles and employment opportunities including sports remittances.

Highlights:

*Government has allocated $1m under construction of rural sports complex and an additional $0.2m for rural sports ground fields;

*$1.2 million for the upgrade/ maintenance of Fijian Sports Council facilities.

* $1.9 million has been allocated for hosting international tournaments;

*To raise the standard and performance of national teams, Government will continue to support the engagement of professional coaches. An allocation of $1.5 million has been made for this in the 2016-2017.