Baton Arrives Earlier Than Expected

The 16th Commonwealth Games Queens Baton is spending one week here with two days of activa­tion before it heads to Tuvalu.

Fiji is one of the 72 nations and territories the baton is visiting over 294 days before it arrives at Birmingham for the opening ceremony in July.

The baton was in Australia before it flew over to Fiji; yes­terday it arrived at the capital city from Nadi via the Post Fiji’s EMS courier services.

The Post Fiji team handed over the baton to Fiji Associa­tion of Sports and National Olympic Committee at the Post Fiji boardroom in Suva.

Speaking to SUNSports FAS­ANOC chief executive officer Loraine Mar said due to the current COVID conditions, movement of the baton has been minimised.

“Under the current situation in Fiji we are not able to move the baton around the coun­try,” Mar said.

“In 2016 the Olympic toured Fiji but this time around it is difficult.

“It had arrived this week but since we have activation days for the baton it will rest at the FASANOC office.

“Our activation days are on Sunday and Monday, so on Saturday we are having a of­ficial welcome at the State House.

“The last stop of the baton is Koroipita settlement in Lau­toka.

“The settlement fulfills 16 of the 17 UN SDG’s - one of the theme of the baton is sustain­ability.

“We thank Post Fiji for their tremendous effort in bringing the baton safely to Fiji.

“The baton has arrived ear­lier than expected so it is a testimony of Post Fiji’s ef­ficiency and how well they worked with the Royal Mail and Australia Post.”

Meanwhile Post Fiji chief executive officer Anirudha Bansod said it was a proud moment for Post Fiji to be part of the journey.

“It is a very proud moment for Post Fiji, as this is the first time ever for us to be part of baton’s journey,” Bansod said.

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