144 For Team

The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympics Committee (FASANOC) would be sending 98 athletes to the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia in April.

A total of 144 athletes, officials and support staff would be part of Team Fiji contingent.

There will be 45 men and 53 women’s athletes participating in the 12 sports namely athletics, badminton, boxing, beach volleyball, lawn bowls, netball, rugby sevens, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis and weightlifting.

Team Fiji chef de mission Patrick Bower said they would also be sending one of their biggest weightlifting team to the Commonwealth Games. “The Commonwealth Games has grown bigger and I would say it is getting better in terms of the organisation that Australia has put into the event this year,” Bower said.

Team Fiji general manager Christopher Yee said they were optimistic of their medal winning chances despite the limited financial resources.

He said Fijian athletes always brought spirit into the Commonwealth Games. “Fijians are a very proud people and when it comes to competing at top level, they are very passionate about winning something for the country. It is not about the money it is about the pride in representing Fiji in itself,” Yee said.

“It goes to show the passion they have for the sport and also what they want to do and achieve something for the country and this is the pride of it.”-