2019 Pacific Games Team Fiji deputy chef de mission Chris­topher Yee has urged members of the public to become a champion and support the Team Fiji Lottery.

Yee said the lottery is an initiative to assist all sporting federations to cater for their levies and general expenses for the Games.

“Team Fiji has come out with the lottery itself which an initiative by the various sporting federations,” he said.

“The purpose of the lottery is to assist federations to raise money to cater for their levies and their gen­eral preparations..

“We’re requesting the public and corporations in supporting them to purchase these tickets which is $2 each and there are also 15 tickets in a book for $30.

“So those who purchase these tickets will be going into the draw to win prizes and our first prize is the Toyota 4×4 vehicle and there are other complementary prizes too. So we are urging the public to take part in this promotion.”

Yee who is also the general man­ager of eight sporting federations for the Games gave an update on the progress of each sport.

“In terms of the update of the sports that I look after for the Pa­cific Games are boxing, judo, pow­erlifting, shooting, squash, table tennis, touch rugby and weightlift­ing,” Yee added.

BOXING

“For boxing they are working hard and hoping to take a full team across to Samoa.

“And like any other federations they have challenges in finding a proper venue to train and getting funding for the Games.

“They are expecting a lot of new boxers that will be coming as part of the trials and the final selection is in April during the Fiji Games.”

JUDO

“And for judo they’re looking at taking eight athletes to the Games which will be four men and women athletes.

“Also, they’re building up for the Olympic Games. They’ll have a tri­al in late April for final selection.”

POWERLIFTING

“However, for powerlifting they have a big team with great talents.

“And they have been training eve­ry day and they are looking at send­ing a full team across too.

“So, powerlifting will be an excit­ing sport to watch.

SHOOTING

“Well, As far as shooting is con­cerned their team will be going over to New Zealand to compete in the North Island DTL champi­onship which is scheduled for the end of this month. Also between February and March there will be another pistol shooting competi­tion which is a build-up towards the Games.”

SQUASH

“Squash athletes are currently training in Fiji and have fielded a big team with some undiscovered athletes that are coming through.

“And they have organised a Suva Squash championship this Satur­day where we will get to see some national reps taking part.”

TABLE TENNIS

“Table tennis athletes have been conducting their training every week.

“Sally Yee is among other athletes that has been doing well with her preparations. She is currently in Japan completing her studies.

“We also have the likes of Grace Yee and Caroline Lee who will be actually leading the team during the Games as well.”

TOUCH RUGBY

“For touch rugby they will be pre­paring for the World Cup in April which will also be a platform for their final preparations for the Pa­cific Games in July.

“And along with their prepara­tions for the world cup the touch rugby team have been conducting their strength and conditioning sessions as well.”

WEIGHTLIFTING

“For weightlifting the athletes have been training at the National Fitness Centre and at Dogowale on a weekly basis.

“And they have conducted a few trials previously and will have an­other national trial this Saturday so we’re looking forward to see­ing some fresh talents coming on­board.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback: grace.narayan@fijisun.com.fj