Sports conference discusses way forward

Government is pushing for stronger sports governance and improved athlete development pathways as part of reforms discussed during the National Sports Organisation (NSO) Conference at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay last Saturday.

The conference, themed Building Fiji’s High-Performance Future, brought together sporting administrators and stakeholders to discuss the proposed framework.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Aliki Bia said the conference aims to introduce and strengthen the framework through collaboration with sports organisations and key partners.

“The primary objective of this conference is to introduce, evaluate and reinforce the proposed Fiji High-Performance Support Framework through collaborative engagement with national sports organisations and key stakeholders,” he said.

Bia said the ministry remains committed to supporting athletes, coaches and sports administrators to reach new levels of success.

“By investing in training programmes, facilities and resources we can create a conducive environment for our athletes to excel and represent Fiji proudly on the international stage.”

He also revealed that Government is planning to establish a national sports academy to further develop our athletes.

“I encourage all NSOs here to show their support for this project,” Bia added.

Fiji National Sports Commission executive chairman Peter Mazey also highlighted the upcoming governance reforms and compliance requirements for all sports organisations.

“Funding will increasingly be linked to these compliance issues, but funding will be made available to make it easier for everybody,” he said. “It’s not about punishing anyone, it’s really about strengthening the integrity of sports.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka launched the official logo for Drug-Free Sports Fiji during the conference.

He said the unveiling of the official logo signals Fiji’s firm commitment to promoting clean sport and protecting athletes from the dangers of prohibited substances.

He spoke about initiatives in the Wailea settlement in Suva, aimed at discouraging drug use and supporting young people to pursue positive pathways.

He expressed the hope that stronger collaboration between government agencies, sporting organisations, and communities would help reduce drug abuse and encourage healthier lifestyles among young people.

The Prime Minister emphasized that sport plays a crucial role in shaping discipline, integrity, and leadership, particularly among the youth, and maintaining a drug-free sporting environment is essential in protect-ing those values.

Drug-Free Sports Fiji was established under the Ministry of Youth and Sports as a statutory body re-sponsible for enforcing the Anti-Doping Act 2024.