Fiji remains out of Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Heads of Government at a meeting in Trinidad and Tobago have rejected a bid to allow Fiji to participate in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next year.

Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth after a pledge to hold elections early was not acted on however FASANOC wanted a separate decision to be made on Fiji's participation at the Commonwealth Games next year with the reasoning that sports should not be mixed with politics.

According to PACNEWS, the bid was made by Malaysia but was thought to have no other support.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said he spoke against the proposal, telling other leaders that and I quote" it would undermine the Commonwealth brand and you'll undermine the Pacific leaders who are a family trying to stick together to resolve this issue' unquote.

FASANOC President Vidya Larkan said he will not comment now on the issue, since he is currently awaiting an official release from the Commonwealth Games Federation.

In Commonwealth Games history, Nigeria was banned from the games after it was suspended in 1995 but was readmitted in 1999.