The Fiji Football Association and the Fiji National Sports Commission have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to expand football and community sports development, with the goal of creating healthier, more active communities.
Fiji FA Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Yusuf says the initiative is vital for national sports growth and aligns closely with the Sports Commission’s community-focused development vision.
Yusuf says the Sports Commission has established coaches across communities to develop various sports, with Fiji Football benefiting by deploying its own coaches alongside those teams into remote areas.
He says feedback from those areas shows that the programmes have created a huge impact.
Yusuf says the MOU will allow football to be spread throughout the country using the Sports Commission’s established community sports network and Fiji Football’s technical expertise.
Fiji National Sports Commission Chair Peter Mazey says sports has become a major and growing sector in Fiji, with professional teams now operating in football, rugby and rugby league.
He says the Commission has entered a new strategic planning year, making major changes and working more closely with partners such as Fiji Football.
Mazey says Fiji faces growing health and social challenges, particularly among young people.
INSERT: Mazey on sports 2nd Feb
He says the Commission has received strong feedback on the wider social impact of its programmes.
He says police and the Ministry of Women have informed them that whenever community programmes are taken into villages, there is a decrease in crime, abuse and in drug usage.
Mazey explains that the Commission operates a “train the trainers” model, selecting 30 to 40 people in each village to become coaches, referees, umpires and administrators.
He adds that the Commission is expanding its presence at community level, with new offices already established in Savusavu and Sigatoka, and another planned for Kadavu later this year.
The MOU formalises ongoing cooperation between Fiji Football and the Sports Commission, allowing both organisations to jointly deliver football and community sports programmes nationwide through shared resources, funding and community network.
