FIVE years after his involvement in the establishment of a sports facility at Natokowaqa Housing in Lautoka, Local Government Minister Parveen Kumar was guest at another groundbreaking ceremony for a similar project at the same suburb on Wednesday.
At the event, Mr Kumar paid tribute to the PYGMIES (Providing Young Generation Movement In Every Situation) for being persistent in their endeavour to establish the $90,000 sports facility.
“They approached me at every event in the Western Division and made their intentions very clear and I must applaud them for their persistence,” he said.
“This project will consist of two multipurpose courts with toilet facilities, changing rooms and we will make sure it is disabled-friendly,” Mr Kumar said.
“The estimated cost of this project is around $90,000.
“The reason for the low-cost is because it will be in-house, Lautoka City Council is going to carry out the construction work.”
Mr Kumar said apart from the obvious social benefits, Government was also pleased with the other benefits the multipurpose courts will bring to Natokowaqa.
“The project is being undertaken for the following reasons — firstly, to combat NCDs.
“Secondly, for the development of sports, the community here has been the breeding ground of some prominent sporting personalities of this country.
“And thirdly, it is to keep our youth engaged. It is often said that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
“It is when our mind is devoid of noble ideas that all sorts of evil ideas start to enter which only leads us into problems.”
