The fight against the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, and HIV is taking centre stage as Fiji’s U20 programme steps up to champion awareness, prevention and athlete well-being.
Speaking during the launch, the Head of Men's High Performance Unit Andrew Durutalo says the initiative will use the platform of rugby to raise awareness among young people about the growing impact of HIV and NCDs in Fiji.
He says, as part of an initiative that combines sport with health advocacy, the U20 programme is kick-starting its alignment camps ahead of next year's Junior World Championship (JWC), scheduled for June and July.
Durutalo says the first alignment camp is currently underway in Suva, bringing together 60 invited players from the Central and Eastern Divisions.
He says a further 60 players will be invited to attend a similar camp in the Western Division.
Durutalo says beyond preparing players for the upcoming JWC, the camps will place a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with the first day dedicated to medical screening.
He says this approach reinforces the programme's commitment to connecting high performance with the overall health and well-being of its athletes.
Durutalo says the initiative recognises the importance of reaching young people, particularly those within the 18 to 23 age group, as highlighted in health data referenced by the World Health Organization (WHO).
