Fiji's only hope to participate at the 2010 Commonwealth Games now lies with the Court of Arbitration for Sports.
This is after revelations that the Commonwealth Heads of Government in a meeting in Trinidad and Tobago have rejected a bid to allow Fiji to participate in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next year.
FASANOC President Vidya Lakhan said the final decision rests with the Court of Arbitration and they will only respect the Courts decision.
Reacting to comments from New Zealand Prime Minister John Key who spoke against the proposal to allow Fiji to play next year, Lakhan said that sports and politics are two separate issues and Key should not be telling other leaders what to do.
This is the first time in FASANOC's history that a matter is being taken up to Court of Arbitration for Sports with Lakhan saying that it is to set the precedence so that in future, athletes will not be victimised.
Meanwhile, Commonwealth leaders have reiterated their call for Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to restore democracy in Fiji as soon as possible.
Leaders of the 54 commonwealth nations called on Fiji’s government to commit itself to credible, inclusive and time bound political dialogue towards the restoration of constitutional civilian democracy without further delay
However Commodore Bainimarama has maintained to the United Nations, the European Union and other International Bodies that all the necessary reforms will be undertaken before elections are held by September 2014.
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Fiji’s fate lies with Court of Arbitration for Sports