Sports Carnival for Veterans
The biggest Fiji veterans sports carnival in March will coincide with Fiji’s first woman Olympian, Miriama Kadavu Tuisorisori-Chambault returning home after six years to celebrate her 71st birthday.
Her last visit to Fiji was in 2017. Tuisorisori-Chambault now a French citizen said the veteran sports carnival will be held at the Miriama Tuisorisori Chambault Field at the Nakasi High School on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
“It is a priviledged to be acknowledged by the French embassy in Fiji and the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC),” TuisorisoriChambault said from France. “Having a sports ground named after me is a priviledge, there are no words that could describe this. I am filled with gratitude,” she said. “The sports carnival is for veterans only, a day for former national reps, sports enthusiasts, administrators, sports stakeholders, sponsors, government ministers, diplomatic corp, former civil servants, everyone.
“It is a first of its kind - with social rugby, volleyball and walking including food and fun.
“It will have the Olympic colours and spirit Fiji style, a sports day for veterans.
“It is a big birthday party for those celebrating on the day.”
The Miriama Tuisorisori-Chambault
Field was launched in November by French ambassador to Fiji François-Xavier Leger with Pacific Games Council President Vidya Lakhan in attendance and NHS principal and staff.
Leger said the naming of the Miriama Tuisorisori Chambault ground was part of the Field Terre de Jeux 2024 label initiative as part of preparations towards the Paris Olympics and Paralympics in 2024. France takes centre stage from next year when it hosts the rugby
World Cup, in 2024 the Olympics and in 2025 the rugby league World Cup.
Tuisorisori-Chambault originally from Nalebaleba, Bemana, Nadroga represented Fiji in athletics at the 1969, 1971 and 1975 South Pacific Games where she won six gold, three silver and four bronze medals.
She represented Fiji at the Commonwealth Games in New Zealand in 1974 and at the 1976 Olympic Games in the pentathlon and hur
dle events. She ran in the 100 metres and 200m at the 1984 Olympics in the United States.
After her marriage she moved to Noumea and represented New Caledonia at the 1979 and 1983 South Pacific & Mini Games winning five gold, two silver and one bronze as well as representing France in the World Cup and European Championships from 1979 – 1995.