The Short Course Swimming Grand Prix will be held in Nadi until the Lautoka Aquatic Centre, funded by Government, is completed.

The confirmation was made by Fiji Swimming president Ben Rova yesterday.

He said the national governing body had come to an agreement last year that all major Nationals would be moved to Suva in preparation for the Oceania Swimming Championships.

Rova said the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston in February has put financial constraint on swimmers in the western division thus parents requesting competition to be held in Nadi.

“The financial challenges parents and swimmers from the West have had to endure in attending in Suva three Long Course Grand Prix events, Open Nationals, National Schools Swimming Championships and the Long Course Age Group Finals has become too much,” Rova said.

“Hence a request was made to Fiji Swimming if the Age Group Nationals could be moved to Nadi.

“The request was discussed and we have been trying to work on a solution that is acceptable and meets everyone’s needs.

“We want unity among clubs and as much as possible a combined event. We are aware and hear the voice of our Western clubs and their financial situation and we hope to arrive at an acceptable outcome. Failing this, we may have to hold the event in two locations and combine results which we successfully did recently as last weekend to complete our Grand Prix 3 competition.

“While this arrangement does not set the atmosphere for a great championship, it may have to happen on this occasion. This is one of those moments that we try as much as possible to maintain order and our calendar of events but understandable circumstances have not made it possible to do so.

“There are some learning lessons from all this and we hope that we can come up with solutions that satisfies everyone, including the completion of the “Aquatic Centre in Lautoka to ensure an equal distribution of competition between East and West so no one party is disadvantaged all the time,” he said.