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.
