Japan MOU to Benefit Fijian Sports

The Ministry of Youth and Sports will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japan’s Ministry of Sports.

Yesterday they signed a letter of intent as they formalise the agreements between them to be formulated in the MOU with Saga Prefecture. Permanent secretary for Youth and Sports Alison Burchell said the MOU would help Fiji find ways for exchange visits and seek expertise assistance in a number of sports, mainly rugby. “We are going to be signing an MOU of Sports in Japan,” she said. “The Japanese operate on a very decentralise bases so they have their prefectures. The Governor from the Saga Prefectures is here and we decide about the letter of intent as to sign the MOU. “This MOU will deal with sports co-operation and with the element of cultural exchange.”

Burchell said last year after Tropical Cyclone Winston, students from Queen Victoria School (QVS) went to Japan and spent about 10 days with people of Saga. They played rugby and they also showcased some Fijian cultural activities and traditions to them. “This is going to continue and probably on an annual bases. I’m hopeful that it will expand to other sports because Japan has a wealth of knowledge. For example, gymnastics, which is good for us to start working on, as a physical education programme for the schools. They are also good at karate which is now an Olympic sport for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. “They have a lot of experience in whole bunch of other sports. “They do well in Olympic Games and indeed in the Paralympic Games as well,” she said. She said they want to exchange that expertise so that Fiji can learn. Edited by Leone Cabenatabua