With 173 days to go for the 2019 Pacific Games, Team Fiji athletes and offi­cials will be undergoing their first medical screening test at the Fiji National University Pacifica Campus in Tamavua on Saturday.

Speaking at the press conference yesterday Team Fiji chef de mission Patrick Bower said preparations from various sporting fed­erations are on track.

However, he has called for a meeting with the team officials to update on the progress of the logistics aspects of the Games.

“We are just 173 days away from the Pa­cific Games and there is a lot of excitement among the federations,” Bower said.

“We have few teams from various sporting federations that have finalised their progress for the Pacific Games while we’re still wait­ing for updates from the rest.

“Of course trying to put the team together we need to ensure all federations are follow­ing the proper guidelines required of them as outlined by the hosting country Samoa.

“We’re at the moment looking at all the lo­gistics in trying to get to Samoa and return­ing and before that we got to ensure that our athletes are mentally and physically pre­pared.

“This is only made possible if we keep our officials informed prior to the Games. We will also be hosting an officials meeting this Friday to inform them of our progress and the current status of their sports and be on track for the Games.

“We’re really excited to go to Samoa as we have been confirmed that we’ll be accommo­dated in hotels as well as most schools com­plex there will be utilised too.

“We are hopeful that the number of Team Fiji athletes and officials going for the Games will be accommodated.

“Another important factor to keep intact for the athletes is the medical aspect. We have had in the past seen them go to the Games with injuries and as a result they were not able to perform.”

FASANOC’s Medical Commission Sharlene Nand gave an update of the medical screen­ing test scheduled for Team Fiji officials and athletes.

“We’ll be having our first medical screening test scheduled for this Saturday,” Nand said.

“For any Games hosted we normally have two medical screenings as it is part of the se­lection criteria for athletes and officials to be able to travel with the team.

“So the medical screenings basically covers the height, weight, blood pressure and mus­cle straining conditions and so forth.

“This screening is accommodated for all athletes and sporting officials to complete be­fore the final team is selected. We are looking at about 600 to 700 athletes to be part of this first medical screening” .

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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