18 December, 2025, 10:44 am Central - 27°C Rain

Probert asks why about 3 people were involved in FASANOC bid for the 2031 Pacific Games
Why sporting federations and people like Atma Maharaj were not consulted - Probert

Probert asks why about 3 people were involved in FASANOC bid for the 2031 Pacific Games

Why sporting federations and people like Atma Maharaj were not consulted - Probert

By Vijay Narayan , Mikaele Liga
06/11/2024

The failure to make a strong and competitive bid for Fiji to host the 2031 South Pacific Games remains a major concern for many sporting federations across the country and this has also resulted in former 5-time Olympic swimmer Carl Probert questioning the lack of preparation and plans from the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC).

Probert expressed his concerns on why Fiji lost the bid to Tonga since FASANOC had ample time to prepare a strong bid for the games.

He says it took two to three people to bid for Fiji and they did not consult other sporting federations and experienced people like former Secretary-General and Executive Board Member, Atma Maharaj.

He is also making a call for the sporting federations to make the request to FASANOC on how the bid was prepared and presented.

Probert says it seems they rushed with the bid and did not present a good argument to the Games Council.

He says the decisions made during the bid were based on emotions as Tonga filled a plane full of delegation including their Prime Minister to bid for Tonga.

Probert says losing the bid means a lot to our economy, as sports is a big revenue earner for the country, and bringing the games home in 2031 would have also provided a good pathway for the Olympics in 2032 in Brisbane.

President of Athletics Fiji, Jioji Liga says they are waiting for the reply from FASANOC on what really transpired in the bidding.

He says they are disappointed with FASANOC on the outcome of the bid.

Liga says he waiting for the reply from FASANOC.

Click here for In-depth: Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Ceiling collapse,water issue force ward closures at Navua Hospital
Navua Hospital is facing ongoing challenges after the closure of its labour ward, general ward and maternity ward for more than a year, raising concer...
15 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Warner Bros favours Netflix offer over US$108 billion Paramount bid
Warner Bros Discovery has told its shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance's US$108.4bn takeover bid.Paramount had said its offer was "superior" to ...
17 minutes ago

Rabukawaqa and Macedru further remanded in Top Shop aggravated robbery case
23-year-old Lagani Rabukawaqa and 25-year-old Saimoni Macedru have been further remanded for the alleged Raiwai aggravated robbery that occurred on ...
2 hours ago

Flash Flood and Heavy Rain alerts cancelled for Fiji
A Flash Flood Alert that was previously in force for low-lying and flood-prone areas in the southern and eastern parts of Viti Levu, as well as the ...
3 hours ago

Acting Police Commissioner warns new recruits against abuse of authority
Acting Commissioner of Police, Aporosa Lutunauga, has warned newly graduated police recruits against abusing their authority, stressing that such ...
3 hours ago

CCTV cameras in central Suva fully operational, hand-over to police soon - Patel
CCTV cameras installed across key streets in central Suva are now fully operational, with final internet connectivity work expected to be completed ...
16 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Human trafficking allegations and issues relating to Grace Road Group
Human trafficking allegations and concerns linked to the Grace Road Group/+ARTICLE-311061+ARTICLE/PM says Govt cannot interfere into any human ...
2 hours ago

Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
6 days ago

I do not support police officers being charged on public opinions and without evidence - COMPOL
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says he will stand by his officers, and he does not support any officer being charged based on public opinion ...
6 days ago

TOP