WEIGHTLIFTING Fiji has provided a $2 million budget to host the 2019 International Weightlifting Federation World Junior Championship.
President Atma Maharaj said the cost of organising the championships was inclusive of new equipment and platforms that they would need.
‘The funding for the championships will come from Government and Fiji National Sports Commission, sponsorship and media partnerships, television rights, entry fees, International Weightlifting Federation, Olympic Solidarity and our partners,” Maharaj said.
He said their next plan was to finalise and work with Ministry of Youth and Sport and other sporting bodies on what things to be done before the tournament.
“Over the next month, we expect to finalise the host agreement with IWF, Ministry of Youth & Sport, Fiji National Sports Commission and Weightlifting Fiji.
“We will work with the Ministry and FNSC and other partners to create a very strong Partnership program that will help organise the championships.
“We also will be putting together a dynamic and effective organising committee in the next few weeks. We will also undertake strategy and planning activities to scope a successful Championships delivery,” he said.
As part of us hosting the inaugural tournament, Weightlifting Fiji would like to see the number of qualified technical officials from Fiji.
“In this regard, we plan to organise a series of technical officials courses, so that we can build our capacity.
“One of our key goals for 2019 Championships will be greater participation of high quality athletes from the region.
“In 2019 World Junior Championships, in Japan, currently on, only three Oceania countries (Australia, New Zealand and Fiji) are taking part.
“Our goal will be that all the Pacific Island countries to have good quality athletes prepared and participate in Suva. Our plans are to introduce Weightlifting in selected schools, and use this as an effective Talent pool.
“We are designing a school programs, and hope to have some schools in Suva — Nasinu area and Ovalau started in 2017,” he said.
