Athletes need time to pay levy

Team Fiji athletics is running out of time as they still need to collect $49,000 if they are to participate at the Pacific Mini Games in Koror, Palau, at end of this month.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday Fiji manager Iva Volavola confirmed that they may trim the squad due to their inability to meet the required levy fee of $120,000. Each athlete and official has to pay $3000 each for their levy.

"We managed to do some of the fundraising and stuff that we needed to ensure that most of the levy was paid off," she said.

"At the moment we still have $49,000 plus still pending to be paid off and we were told that everything is to be due tomorrow (today).

We are asking FASANOC for an extension, they haven't come back to us for that."

Volavola said the Pacific Mini Games management would continue with their Saqamoli Appeal.

"The saqamoli is still going on and a raffle too with donated 20 prizes. We have asked for an extension (levy fee) maybe June 13." Volavola said the national squad consisted of 33 athletes and seven officials.

"We've paid $75,000 but some more have come in. We will have a meeting this afternoon (yesterday) to ensure that we get the figures right and to put the balance of all these Saqamoli appeal on Facebook," she said.

"We'll be transparent at least."

Volavola said their saqamoli appeal had been progressive during its launch last week but has recently gained momentum.

"It had started gaining momentum from Wednesday," she said.

"The worst case scenario is to reduce the numbers because we would like to take these students. The Pacific Mini Games is in our strategy, a pathway to the Olympics so we want to take our athletes right up to the Olympics and we're starting off with this squad."

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj