Lifters future in limbo

The Levuka Weightlifting Club (LWC) representatives did not attend their meeting with the Weightlifting Fiji executive board which was to be chaired by an independent facilitator yesterday. According to FASANOC president, Joe Rodan Snr the setting up of the meeting was done according to he conditions set by the members of the Levuka Weightlifting Club. “FASANOC had sent a delegation to Levuka to meet with the Levuka weightlifting fraternity to hear their grievances and more importantly to share information that it felt was important for their athletes in particular,” he said. “It was important for FASANOC that the athletes fully understood how any course of action or decisions they made could impact on their future in the sport.

“The Levuka athletes and officials subsequently maintained their stance to continue their boycott of the Weightlifting Fiji team, as well as their refusal to train with the new international coach.”

However, Rodan says, the FASANOC delegation felt that there was a positive outcome, when the group indicated that they were prepared to have dialogue with the Weightlifting Fiji executive board, on the condition that it is chaired by an independent facilitator.

“This meeting was facilitated by FASANOC today (Sunday) at Fiji Olympic House, with the FASANOC delegation to be in attendance. The Weightlifting board appeared for the meeting but the Levuka fraternity did not. “FASANOC is disappointed at the stance taken by these athletes and officials as it believes that there has to be face-to-face dialogue between the two parties before any kind of resolution can be agreed on.

“Having done its part, FASANOC will respect the autonomy of Weightlifting Fiji, as an affiliated national federation to determine the course of action it feels necessary.”