LESS than three days out from the completion of the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, a veteran sports commentator has called out for a comprehensive review of sports development programs, coaching methods, and overall support systems in Fiji.
Satish Narain, a renowned sports commentator, says some sports have been underperforming and this has persisted for 20 years.
Barring any miracles, Fiji is poised for its worst finish at the Pacific Games since 1991.
From 1995, Fiji has managed to win more than 30 gold medals at all seven events.
At the 2003 games in Suva, Fiji won a whooping 65 gold, 59 silver and 53 bronze medals.
With competition nearing a close at the games in Honiara this year, Fiji had won 14 gold, 18 silver and 19 bronze medals when this edition went to press last night.
“It’s time to identify shortcomings, implement reforms and establish a more robust framework that can consistently produce better outcomes,” Narain said.
“The challenge is significant but it’s essential for the growth and success of these sports in the long run. The focus should not only be on the immediate future but on building a sustainable system that can yield positive results for years to come.”
Two sports Narain highlighted were swimming and weightlifting where, he thinks, Fiji could have won more medals.
In swimming, Fiji won two gold medals from 43 on offer, while Fiji won three gold medals in weightlifting from the 60 up for grabs.
“I call out the consistent underperformance in swimming and weightlifting over the past two decades raises a major question about the effectiveness of the current systems in place within national federations and especially FASANOC.
“While volunteers have been putting in hard work as administrators and coaches, in the likes of Willie Elaisa and Henry Elder, the results in terms of gold medals in swimming and weightlifting have not shown significant improvement.”
Meanwhile, Team Fiji chef de mission Ajay Ballu says he is happy with the Team Fiji’s overall performance at the Games so far.
Ballu said Fiji had been up to par with its ambitions in Honiara.
“I think we are currently up to par with what we hoped to achieve coming to the Games, and I am happy with what we have been able to achieve so far,” he said.
“It’s true that we brought with us a lot of very young athletes, but it is part of our development plan for all our different sports as we once again prepare for the next games when this one ends.”
The Pacific Games comes to an end on Saturday with the closing ceremony.
