FIJI Swimming sensation Meli Malani has been awarded a scholarship by the International Swimming Federation (FINA).
The Dolphins Swimming Club member will be based at the Spire Institute in Ohio, USA, from early next year.
Fiji Swimming president Jerome Kado said they were pleased with Malani’s achievement.
“The scholarship will benefit Meli as he prepares for the 2015 Pacific Games, 2015 World Championships and 2016 Rio Olympic Games,” Kado said in a statement.
“It is a great opportunity for this young talented swimmer and we look forward to him making the most of this.”
The new FINA Scholarship Program was introduced this year in order to help athletes qualify for the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Under the program, FINA will assist scholarship holders to train in a high level training centre.
Apart from Malani, Fiji Swimming has five swimmers on Oceania Foundation/ONOC scholarships based at Iowa Lakes Community College in USA.
They are Cheyenne Rova, William Clark, Brosnan Erbsleben, Adele Rova and Paul Elaisa.
