Sports grants focused on prioritized sports with $6.9 million allocation

The government is allocating $6.9 million for sports grants that will support the development of sports activities in our communities.

$1.9 million has been allocated to assist and enhance the performance of Fiji’s national teams through participation at regional and international tournaments.

Funding in the new financial year has been prioritised for athletics, rugby union, netball, basketball, cricket, hockey and weightlifting.

$79,500 has been allocated to support overseas training for elite athletes and technical officials with funding been prioritised for rugby league, swimming, tennis and yachting.

Regional and international tournaments are a huge source of economic activity for Fiji. Investments in bringing these events to Fiji pay back massive returns. $2 million has been allocated to support the Hosting of International Tournaments.

In addition to this, $500,000 has been allocated to assist Lautoka City Council with grandstand lighting to ensure the Drua games can be played at night.

The Fiji National Sports Commission aims to host the following national sporting events: Australian Football League Fiji, Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Football Association, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Squash, Tennis and Yachting.

A $1.6 million allocation will ensure that promising elite athletes are exposed to intense high-level training required to participate at renowned competitions in order to better improve the country’s ranking at world events. The funding will directly support the engagement of sports coaches in Football, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union and Yachting.

$500,000 in funding will assist the Fiji National Sports Commission to develop sports programmes in rural communities to hone basic skills in a range of sports and identify clear career pathways for young people. Funding will cater for the following: sports community camp programme, train the trainer programme, educate the educator, children in community sports, inclusive sports programme and wellness sports programme.

$200,000 has been provided for the engagement of local and international experts to assist in sports development in the country. The programme aims to support the training and development of local athletes and sports administrators to international standards in several sports for men and women.

The government continues to ensure inclusivity and equality by supporting sports, physical activities and development for people with disabilities and special needs. The funding provision of $60,000 in the new financial year will cater for the Paralympics, Special Olympics and special schools.

In the 2022-2023 financial year, funding of $654,466 has been allocated to support the growth of minor sporting activities, including volleyball, netball, badminton and futsal.

Funding has been allocated to support the construction of two hard courts in Kamikamica Park, Lautoka and Tataiya, Rakiraki; and the construction of two multi-purpose courts in Tuatua Housing, Labasa and Vunidawa, Naitasiri.