Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasised on the importance of sports as a tool for cohesion and one that pushes athletes beyond their limits.
While celebrating the achievements attained by sports men, women, administrators, coaches and management in 2023, Rabuka drew on the famous words of the late Nelson Mandela, reminding Fijians of the beauty of sport and how it has helped build the nation.
“The late Nelson Mandela once said that “sport has the power to change the world.” Here in Fiji, we know this to be true.
“Sports have the power to unite us, inspire us, and push us beyond our limits,’ he said.
Rabuka acknowledged that 2023 was a busy year for sport with athletes competing in various tournaments including the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, the Rugby World Cup in France and the Netball World Cup in South Africa.
“Our athletes are not just competitors; they are ambassadors of our nation, carrying with them the hopes and dreams of all Fijians. Every single one of you is an Ambassador for Fiji on the international stage, each time you don the national uniform or jersey, you fly our flag proudly,” he said.
Looking at the award recipients on Saturday, Fiji Swimming won two awards with Anahira McCutcheon named the Unit Trust of Fiji Young female athlete of the year and Trisa Cheer was recognised as the Sports World technical official of the year.
Fiji Rugby also scooped two awards with Simon Raiwalui taking out the FIJI Water coach of the year and the Flying Fijians given the Asco Motors team of the year award.
Three awards in the Vodafone youth male athlete of the year and Fiji Sports Council sportsman and woman of the year went to Nehemiah Elder, Taniela Rainibogi and Miriama Taletawa of Weightlifting Fiji respectively.
Netball Fiji took out the Sports Organisation of the year, Fiji Football’s Anushil Kumar was recognised as the ONOC Hanisi Erasito administrator of the year, Astral Smith was named the Lawhill Wines Volunteer of the Year and Jonacani Lalakobau of The Fiji Times won the 2023 photograph of the year.
