The Ministry of Youth and Sports has been allocated a budget of $24.1 million for 2018-2019. From that amount, $20.4m is for operating expenditure, $3.4m is for capital expenditure. The difference of $0.3m accounts for VAT.

While presenting the 2018-2019 National Budget last night, Attorney General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said, this was an increase of $1.4m.

The increase is mainly attributed to;

-More international sporting tournaments being hosted in Fiji

-A marginal increase in operating expenditures to fund various Fijian sporting organisations.

Sayed-Khaiyum also highlighted new initiatives that have been adopted. They are:

-$10,000 is allocated for exhibitions and inter- Ministry road shows. The ministry will partner with other agencies to create more dynamic pathways to achieving youth development and success.

-$10,000 is allocated for a Sports Education Programme that will promote sports curriculum development in all of Fiji’s youth training centres.

On the ongoing initiatives, Government continued on promoting the development of sports at all levels through;

-Fiji National Sports Commission actively advances the development of Fijian sports at all levels, from beginner to elite level by supporting national sporting bodies ($1.0m)

-Engagement of international coaches to foster the development and participation of Fijian athletes at international level. Through this initiative Fiji’s national athletes are exposed to higher levels of professional coaching, tapping their potential to thrive in the international spotlight and brining pride and joy to Fijians at home.

The programme has already contributed towards Fiji winning the first-ever Olympic gold medal during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ($1,656,800).

-Overseas sports tournaments; Supports the participation of Fiji’s national teams in international tournaments. Some of the key events include the HSBC 7s Series, ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup qualification, 2020 Paralympics qualification, FIBA in Oceania Under-15 Basketball World Championship, Special Olympics Summer World Games 2019, Netball World Cup, Youth Olympic Games and the Pacific Games. ($4,080,000)

-Hosting international tournaments: Fiji will host a number of international tournaments in the upcoming financial year, including ICC East Asia Pacific Sub-Regional World T20 qualifier (Cricket Fiji), 2019 IWF World Junior Championship (Fiji Weightlifting Association) and International rugby matches- Fiji Rugby Union. ($3,172,585)

-2018 Oceania men and women’s rugby sevens tournament: Fiji will host the international tournament. The event will also be the qualifier for 2018/19 Sevens series for both the men and women’s teams ($1,514, 888).

-Short-term experts: Caters for the engagement of local and international experts to assist with the development of minor sports in the country. ($250,000)

-Sports Outreach Programme funds a weeklong sports development programme in rural communities to hone basic skills in a range of sports and identify clear career pathways for young people. ($250,000)

-Sports scholarships: Supports the development of elite athletes by providing sports scholarships for promising athletes. ($221,000)

-Fiji Boxing Commission: Supports the operations of the Commission to help revive the sport of boxing in the country. ($80,000).

-Ministry has been allocated sports grants for persons living with disabilities to increase physical activity and encourage greater participation in national sports activities, in-line with Government’s commitment to ensure social inclusion in sports for all Fijians. ($120,000)

Expanding access to sporting infrastructure for the Fijian people to encourage healthier living;

-Rural sports fields: Develops sporting fields in rural schools to provide more opportunities to develop rural sporting talents. ($500,000).

-Rural Sports Complexes: Funds the construction of rural sporting complexes in Kadavu and Gau in-line with Government’s long term plan to establish modern sporting facilities around the country, providing athletes throughout Fiji with the opportunity to further develop their skills in a wide range of sports. ($2m).

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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