‘Review, plan for 2027 Pacific Games’
Team officials of all national federations should start assessing their respective team performance and plan for the next Pacific Games.
This was the comment of Team Fiji chef de mission Ajay Ballu when asked of a team review following their sixth place finish at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.
Ballu said overall performance and presentation of Team Fiji was a pleasant one.
He added that the Games was purposeful, enabling athletes to prepare and compete at their best, in fairness, friendship and respect at the region’s best facilities.
While the athletes are the focal point of all games, officials should also be well equipped for regional meets.
“Athlete well-being and personal development need the guidance and input of committed, interested officials,” he said.
“Those officials are ones who are ready, willing and available to explore all channels that enhance the athlete’s aspirations and the sports federation’s progress.
“We have much at stake and opportunities abound.
“As officials, a good example of shortcomings is the inability of team officials to be proactive when competition is over and implementing activities that occupy and engage the athletes.”
Ballu added that there are important matters that could be addressed to enhance athlete’s personal development.
The 2027 Pacific Games will be in Tahiti; Fiji is one of the six countries who are bidding to host the 2031 Games.
“While further training is beneficial it is incumbent on the team official(s) to be creative in further
enhancing capabilities that; observe and evaluate performance(s). “Evaluate the competitor’s high points, consider the low points and what needs to be done to achieve better, plans toward the next phase of national, regional and international competition.
“There are such matters such as managing finance; getting the most out of the sport through the shared ideas by others who have been a part of the competition.
“Leaders of the NF’s should share short and long term achievable goals to improve future performances.
“The thoughts and ideas are endless and no doubt some of this may already be happening within some NFs. Hence the Oceania Sports Education Programme (OSEP) courses can include the business of teaching values, especially in recognising the difference between a need and a want,” Ballu added. “Finishing the games with 21 gold medals, 30 silvers and 40 bronze, was never going to be easy, but looking at the total silver medals won also reflects the total amount of gold medals we could have won. “Participation at a Pacific Games is not easy anymore, every team is prepared mentally, physically and spiritually and for that matter we cannot take any country for granted.
“Now that the Pacific Games is also qualification and ranking event for Olympics and if recognised event, every athlete and country is well versed with the games.
“Teams know who and what each individual has to do to be the best. And this is why I believe Pacific Games is “our” Olympics.
“Each NF should be sending their best athlete to these Games,” he added.