Bower: Don’t Take Your Health Lightly
Around 500 Team Fiji officials and athletes for the 2019 Pacific Games had completed their first medical screening at the Fiji National University Pacifica campus in Suva yesterday.
Speaking to SUNsports, Team Fiji chef de mission Patrick Bower was overwhelmed with the big turnout of athletes and officials.
“This medical screening is an important part of the final selection of the Pacific Games,” he said.
“We had previously sent out an official invite to the various sporting federations on their participation for this medical screening session. “Looking at the turnout it has been very positive.
“So, I’m overwhelmed with the level of commitment and dedication shown by these teams towards their preparations for the Pacific Games.
“Normally, we have two medical screenings conducted where the first one is usually taken place months before while the second one, a month before the actual Games.
“However, it is very important for athletes that are representing Fiji at the Games to be injury free and don’t have any serious health problems which could be detected and sorted out earlier.
“I would say it has been quiet successful as we had quite a number of athletes and officials who went through the entire process.”
Bower also said some athletes and officials were not able to make it to the medical screening due to their participation in the weekend trials.
“Some are away overseas so hopefully we can conduct a separate medical screening for them on a later date,” Bower added.
“And the athletes are reminded if they carry on the heath problem with them to the Games it will certainly affect their performance.
“And what I’ve noticed previously is that we usually take lightly the medical aspects of our preparations which are crucial.
“So, I’m urging all the Team Fiji athletes and officials that have missed out to get their medical screening done as it’s one of the essential requirements for selection.
“Nevertheless, we’re grateful to have hosted this medical screening here at the Fiji National University, Pacifica Campus which is an ideal place to cater for such a huge number of athletes and officials.
“Also, we’re thankful to the doctors, physiotherapists and volunteers who took out their precious time to carry out the various medical tests.”
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
Feedback: grace.narayan@fijisun.com.fj
