Caption: Fiji Basketball Association President, Major General Ioane Naivalurua with Fiji Sports Council chairman Peter Mazey.
Fiji’s ambassador at large and Basketball Fiji president Major General Ioane Naivalurua has called on the nation to support its Under 19 Fiji team that will be playing for the Oceania games next week.
“I encourage all you out there to come and support and cheer for your team Fiji,” Mr Naivalurua said.
“You need to come and cheer for the young men and women when the game starts on Monday.
“I believe this is all in line with Government’s policy on sports diplomacy where sports is a platform to grow our young generations, bring people together, create an environment or platform where we can play harmoniously in sports.”
Mr Naivalurua said the admission to the games will be free for children under 16 and will be $3 for everyone-else.
Meanwhile, Basketball Fiji this morning also received a cheque of $225,000 from the Fiji Sports Commission.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) University of the South Pacific under 19 Oceania Championship will begin on Monday and is expected to draw 280 participants from eight countries including Fiji.
The first teams to arrive tomorrow include American Samoa, Guam, Australia and Western Samoa.
GOVERNMENT THANKED FOR UPGRADES AHEAD OF TOURNAMENT
The Fiji Sports Council and the Fiji Basketball association have today lauded Government’s assistance in the upgrading of the Vodafone Arena ahead of the FIBA USP Oceania U19 Championship next week.
Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the usage of sports facilities, Fiji Sports Council chairman, Peter Mazey said that the council was grateful to the Prime Minister’s Office for contributing $160,000 towards upgrading works for the Arena.
“The Prime Minister’s Office has contributed $160,000 to ensure that the Vodafone Arena was upgraded to international standards,” Mr Mazey said.
“Thankfully that’s been done and the Sports Council has also contributed substantially.”
“This is going to be an advantage to not only basketball but to other sports like volleyball and netball who will also be using this sporting facility,” he added.
Fiji Basketball association president, Major – General Ioane Naivalurua said that Fiji was fortunate to be hosting the FIBA USP Oceania U19 Championship.
“I would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Prime Minister’s Office in ensuring that this tournament is conducted in a manner that meets international standards,” Mr Naivalurua said.
“We have worked in close cooperation with the Fiji Sports Council and our other stakeholders and we are satisfied with the way preparations are progressing.”
The FIBA Oceania USP U19 Championship begins next Monday.
DEPTFO