'Stop Complaining': Saukuru says
“No one should be saying that they are not supported from Government because they are getting their funds from FNSC while assistance is also available from OPM.
Monday 15 January 2024 | 14:30
All national sporting bodies (NSOs) are fairly allocated funds annually and there should not be any complaints.
Minister of Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru, said budget for the 2023/24 fiscal year was increased to acter for all funds allocated to relevant sporting bodies.
The ministry was allocated $19.5m for 2023-2024 compared to $13.5m the previous 2022-2023 year.
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Grants from the Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) are also included in that budget.
“We also have some funds with the Office of the Prime Minister for minority sports, so for sports, we are all pretty covered,” Saukuru said.
“No one should be saying that they are not supported from Government because they are getting their funds from FNSC while assistance is also available from OPM.
“Grants go to every sporting body in Fiji, including the disabled.”
Minority sports that raised funds should be reviewed during a Pacific Games year; these are sports that have individual events apart from team events.
“The way to do it is, ask for more funding if you need to. We try and to be fair to everyone, even the deaf had asked for assistance – we gave it to them.
“Recently hockey in the last minute their 5s World Cup preparation we had assisted them – Government is going to assist in whatever way it may.”
The popularity and marketing strength of a sporting body assists Government to differentiate minor from major sports.
“For rugby when it comes to international tournaments, they carry our flagship, that’s how we market internationally.
“Their performance shows other nations who we are. If you travel the world, people know Fiji as a rugby nation, the rugby sevens king; this is good marketing for us.”
The newly Fiji Aquatic Centre.
Saukuru acknowledged the Government of the Republic of China on the renovation of the Fiji National Hockey Centre and the Fiji Aquatic Centre. The two facilities cost $19.5 million; they were reopened last Friday.
Both the national hockey aquatic centre projects cost $19.5m while the new tracks will be done the next three weeks.
“The synthetic track is also ready, we are only left with the markings to be done and by February it should be back to normal at the HFC Bank Stadium.
“For us facility wise, we are in a better position now to bid for the Pacific Games. The world standard facilities strengthen our position; hopefully they prepare us in our bid.”
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