The Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia Tuitubou is satisfied with the $16.4m budget allocation for 2016-17.

“We got what we asked for especially the incentives for our medal recipients at the Rio Olympics, we are happy,” Tuitubou said.

“The incentive will definitely boost athletes to perform well.”

Being a former Paralympian gold medallist himself at the 2012 London Olympics, Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Iliesa Delana said the incentives would boost the athletes’ participation.

“It will encourage more people to participate in sports rather than just as a leisure activity.

“The incentives will encourage athletes to train harder,” Delana said.

Fijian National Sports Commission chairman Peter Mazey described the 2016-2017 budget as a responsive budget.

“40 per cent of this budget focuses on development, very responsive budget, it works for everybody and it’s a great budget.

“We have reduction in some areas, but we have already been talking with sporting federations,” Mazey said.

“But we are happy we have the $1.9m allocation for hosting of international tournaments which is very good for the economy.

“It’s good, the development and overseas coaching grants have been retained.” Edited by Osea Bola

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