Sports a Great Source of Unifying Influence For Fiji As we Celebrate Our 50th Anniversary of Independence

Prime Minister Voreqe Baininarama underscored the importance of sports to his Government when he accepted the invitation from the Fiji Football

Association to be chief guest at the opening of the Courts Fiji Inter

District Soccer Tournament.

He could have delegated it to his Sports Minister Parveen Bala but the fact that he decided to go himself showed his commitment to support all sports. What made it special was that we are in the middle of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Fiji’s Independence from Britain.

The tournament was an ideal forum for celebrations because teams from the various districts converged at the National Stadium in Suva to do battle for the coveted prize.

The teams represented a cross section of our people and rich diversity. Differences of ethnicity, culture, religion and socio-economic status are put aside as they come together with one focus in mind, to return home victorious. The women competition was also on the cards but wet weather caused its cancellation. The elevation of women to a top tournament makes it gender balance and inclusive and helps achieve one of our national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr Bainimarama says for too long, we left women behind when it came to athletics because we thought of sports as a man’s endeavour. Women athletes had to work harder and push harder to get the coaching, facilities and other support that they needed. He adds: “But no more I am happy to see women’s teams here from Ba, Nadi, Nadroga, Suva, Nasinu, Rewa, Naitasiri and Labasa.”

In rugby, women’s competition keeps growing, better and more competitive. It’a a welcome development in team sport

If there was one message that we can take home from Mr Bainimarama’s speech, it is that sports unify people, families, districts and provinces. Above all they unite the country and we saw that clearly when our Fijian Sevens team won gold in the Rio Olympics. If we can use the same concept in building national unity in other aspects of national life, we can achieve a lot more whether it is in education, health or agriculture. There needs to be a common goal and everyone works as a team to achieve that goal.

But in a democracy like ours it does not necessarily work like that because everyone has the right to agree or disagree. Politics usually stand in the way. In sports, team members listen and follow the instruction of the coach and captain.

Teams that fail to work together as a team usually lose.

The lessons we learn from sports give us food for thought. NEMANI DELAIBATIKI

Feedback: nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj