AN air of majesty settled over the village of Soso, on the island of Naviti in the Yasawa Group yesterday when the 2026 Commonwealth Games baton reached its shores.
Villagers were gathered in large numbers at the community hall, as they witnessed the specially-designed baton be carried into the village by the Minister for Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru.
Saukuru shared optimistic remarks about the baton’s arrival and the deeper meaning it had for the Commonwealth.
“This baton symbolises friendship and unity in the shared spirit of the Commonwealth of Nations as we gear up for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland,” Saukuru said.
The baton was taken from Viti Levu via boat from Port Denarau to the island, with officials from the Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) and government helping bring over the baton.
Upon arrival, the baton was received by Saukuru, who carried it into the village, entered the village hall and presented it to the Turaga na Tui Naviti.
In his speech, he also touched on the unifying spirit it embodied.
“Today (yesterday), marks a very special moment for our nation,” he added.
“It is more than just a baton; it is about bringing our communities together.”
The baton’s journey will be chronicled in the next five days all over Fiji, continuing in the Capital City of Suva today with a full day of events that begins at 9am, and finishing at 6pm.
On Friday, the baton travels to Pacific Harbour before finishing off in Ba.
Saturday is a full day of events that begins at 8am at the Suva Foreshore for a clean-up campaign and also sees the baton travel to the West for an appearance at the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s Super Rugby Pacific match against the Hurricanes at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
The baton travels onward until next Tuesday where it finishes off in Ovalau.
Meanwhile, Saukuru shared how Fiji stood readily to support the Commonwealth values of uniting people.
“As a proud member of the Commonwealth, Fiji is always ready to support and celebrate the values that unite us, whether it’s through sports, education, youth programs; all coming together for a shared purpose,” he said.
