Estimated $100M in remittances received by families of professional Fijian sports people playing overseas

Sports Minister, Laisenia Tuitubou said an estimated $100 million in remittances is being received by families of professional Fijian sports people playing overseas.

While delivering his ministerial speech this afternoon, Tuitubou highlighted that sports as an industry continues to grow with great potential and offers employment to Fiji’s talented athletes and technical officials.

He revealed in Parliament today that approximately 500 Fijians play professional rugby overseas.

Tuitubou said some of these players were unemployed before but are now earning good income and they have invested funds back into the country.

He said some have purchased homes and assisted their families and communities.

Tuitubou said the government, the National Sports Commission and the Fiji Sports Council have reformed the approach to sports development to ensure that the young sporting men and women fully benefit from the opportunities provided in sports.