Government working on scholarship program to develop elite athletes

The government is working on a scholarship program to develop elite athletes in Fiji.

Minister for Youth and Sports, Laisenia Tuitubou revealed this today in parliament after opposition SODELPA MP, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua raised a question on what programs, finance and technical support have been provided to develop elite athletes at both district and national level.

Tuitubou said a plan is already in place.

Tuitubou said the government continues to support the development of Secondary School Elite athletes through an Olympic preparation grant of $124,000.

Through the National Sports Commission to Athletics Fiji, the money has been utilized by a number of athletes such as Alisi Finau of Jasper Williams High School.

Finau who is part of the national athletics training squad and a star of last year’s Coca Cola Games, will travel to Australia for the All Comers Meet supported by funds provided by government.

Tuitubou said the government has allocated $9.2 million to the National Sports Organization to develop athletes at national and international level such as overseas scholarship programs, short term expert plans where specialist trainers are brought to Fiji and the overseas tours grant to send elite athletes to international events, and hosting of special events in Fiji.