Team Fiji general manager Cal­vin Yee has confirmed on the progress of the five sporting federations under his portfolio for the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Sa­moa.

This year’s Games will be from July 7-20.

Yee who is a former national 400-metre runner is in-charge of ath­letics, badminton, basketball, golf, and lawn bowls.

Speaking during a press conference at Olympic House, Suva on Wednes­day, Yee said he’s pleased with the progress made by the five federa­tions as they are expected to name their final squad after the Fiji Games in April.

ATHLETICS

“With athletics they’ve completed their first trials last weekend and to date with the weekly competitions carried out we managed to have only one A qualifier who is Petero Veit­aqomaki,” he explained.

“Athletics Fiji has reiterated that they will only be taking A qualifiers to the Pacific Games so far no other athletes have qualified.

”So, we have scheduled our second trials for selection in February and hoping more athletes will make the qualifying time.

“At the moment there are few that have met the B qualifiers with the likes of Banuve Tabakaucoro who is trying to make his way back to make the A qualifiers.

“Also, Kameli Sauduadua in the 400 metres event, not forgetting our USA based- athletes who have been moni­tored as well.

They are Younis Bese, Elani Tinai, Miriama Senokonoko as well as in the shot put event we’ve Mustafa Fall. He has set a new national re­cord which is still being verified by Athletics Fiji.”

BADMINTON

“In terms of badminton they had a training camp last weekend with Australian coach Brent Monday who is actually working on the team cul­ture and dynamics of the sport.

“The extended squad is currently preparing for the Oceania Cham­pionship which will be held next month in Melbourne.

“However, their final trials will be during the Fiji Games in April so they are confident to name their final team by then.”

BASKETBALL

“They have an upcoming compe­tition which is the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers which they hope to send some of their squad members since it is the 2020 Olympic Games quali­fiers.

“There is a balance of local and in­ternational players in the team. At the moment they’re trying to keep track the availability of their over­seas based- players if they could make it to the Pacific Games. Their final trial for selection is yet to be confirmed.”

GOLF

“Fiji Golf will be carrying out their trials this weekend at Denarau.

“With golf they have been having challenges with the selection of play­ers from around the country.

“But they’re positive to make pro­gress with the listing of their ex­tended national squad after the first trials this weekend.”

LAWN BOWLS

“For lawn bowls they’re having their first trial this week so they have been progressing well with their preparations.

“They also have in line a champion­ship as it is a build- up to the World Bowl qualifiers so they focused on that at the moment.

“Hence, this will depend on the weather conditions in the next few months the federation is hoping to have their trials for Pacific Games earlier and probably before the Fiji Games.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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