The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee’s (FASANOC) selection justification commission (SJC) will meet next week to ensure the best athletes, in line with their respective national federation selection criteria, are selected as members of Team Fiji for the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands in November.

FASANOC senior team Fiji administrator Jane Wong Niubalavu said the role of the SJC was to also ensure that the team officials meet the team managers’ and coaches’ selection criteria.

“FASANOC’s Athletes Minimum Selection Policy (MSP) will apply when the final teams are named with all athletes selected in accordance with each national federation selection criteria.

“This includes the MSP relevant for the 2023 Pacific Games,” she said.

Niubalavu said recommendations would be made by the SJC for anyone who does not meet the minimum selection criteria, which could mean some athletes may not be selected.

“The SJC ensures that all athletes chosen are at the top of their form.”

Team Fiji hopes to make an announcement on the final names of athletes hoping to represent Fiji on September 21 at the Fiji Olympic House.

Niubalavu said for athletes not selected, there was appeals process whereby they would have 48 hours to dispute their non-selection into Team Fiji.

The SJC comprises five independent members including an Athletes Commission Representative.

The chef de mission also attends the interviews as an observer but is not involved in the selection or final approval of team officials.

Team Fiji chef de mission Ajay Ballu said the SJC would ensure that the best-qualified coaches’ managers and athletes are approved as members of Team Fiji.

“As we have said in the past we are not going for a holiday, but to ensure that Team Fiji produces results,” he said.

“And that starts with the process of selecting the right coaches, managers, and athletes.”

Ballu said he was thankful to members of the SJC, all of whom have given their personal time to volunteer and ensure the fair implementation of the FASANOC team officials and athlete Selection Criteria.

The Pacific Games will include the following sports: archery, athletics, basketball, basketball 3×3, boxing, football, golf, hockey, judo, karate, netball, outrigger canoeing, powerlifting, rugby league nines, rugby sevens, sailing, swimming, table tennis a para, taekwondo, tennis, touch rugby, triathlon, volleyball, beach volleyball, and weight-lifting.

The 2023 Pacific Games is scheduled to be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands for the first time between November 19 and December 2,