The Team Fiji contingent to next year’s Pacific Games are expect­ed to consist of 400 athletes and officials.

This was confirmed yesterday by Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) chief executive Lorraine Mar who also indi­cated that we will be participating in 26 sports.

She also confirmed the appointment of Patrick Bower as the Team Fiji chef de mission.

“The 2019 Pacific Games will also fea­ture athletes from Australia and New Zealand who will be taking part in se­lected sports,” she said.

“These sports include athletics, beach volleyball, judo, rugby sevens, sailing, taekwondo and weightlifting.

“Other sports that have indirect chance of qualifying for the 2020 Olym­pics, through ranking points include athletics, volleyball, judo, sailing, swimming and taekwondo.

“The rugby sevens competition will be used as qualification to World Sevens Series tournament in Hamilton, New Zealand.”

Mar said during the last Pacific Games, Team Fiji finished fourth on the medal tally and this time they are look­ing at improving their standing.

Team Fiji last topped the medal tally at the 1963 South Pacific Games in Suva.

Bower also highlighted the impor­tance of developing sports in the coun­try.

“I’m grateful for the privilege to serve Fiji in the role as chef de mission to the Pacific Games next year.

“The opportunity is that our athletes will be able to have healthy competition and are able to meet other athletes in the Pacific.”

The Games is from July 8-20, 2019.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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