Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru says Fiji needs strong and inclusive leaders in sports.
He made the comment while opening the TAFISA Certified Leadership Program at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva yesterday.
A total of 40 participants are taking part in the four-day training, which aims to equip sports leaders with the right skills and knowledge to play sports more accessible to everyone.
“This innovative program is designed to develop strong, inclusive and capable leaders in our sports community,” Saukuru said.
He said the program would help local sports administrators, coaches and community leaders to run better sports programs.
“It’s more than just training. This is about building vibrant and inclusive sports communities across the country,” he said.
Saukuru thanked the international body TAFISA for providing a grant to support the program.
He also acknowledged the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) and its Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP) for helping make the training free for all participants.
He said this partnership shows a shared goal, to promote inclusive sports and remove financial barriers that stop people from joining.
“Promoting an inclusive sports culture can be a catalyst for social unity and national pride. By empowering our local sports administrators, we can enhance the effectiveness of our sports programs and ensure they truly serve all members of our society,” he said.
He added that the program would also help young people by encouraging them to take part in sports, learn leadership and live healthier lives.
The TAFISA leadership certificate also gives Fiji a chance to align its sports standards with global practices and create new opportunities for international competitions.
The training is supported by TAFISA, the Fiji National Sports Commission and ONOC.
It will continue throughout the week and end on Friday.
