Fiji ‘the hub’ of Oceania sports
SPORTS history in Fiji and the Oceania was written yesterday with the opening of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) House in Suva City yesterday.
It was officially opened by the International Olympic Commiittee (IOC) president Thomas Bach.
Bach, a German Olympian, expressed his delight in ONOC having its home after 41 years of existence.
“This is a great day for the Oceania after 41 years,” Bach said.
He said Fiji was the hub of Oceania sports and called each nation to unite to enhance sports in the region.
“This house will be for everyone in the Oceania.
This will be the home of the Oceania National Olympic Committee and will make everyone welcome. You will be inspired by the feeling for working for the Oceania excellence in sports.
“The Olympics experience is fully alive here in the Oceania. When we arrive here, we can feel your spirit which is about sports and athletes. You are living the value of sports.”
He said sports had not only concentrated on competitions on the field of play. It had worked with world bodies in tackling everyday issues such as global conflicts and climate change.
He said sports played a big role in global sustainable growth, economy and promotion of peace and unity.
“You can have success only if you work together,” the German lawyer, who is serving as the ninth president of the IOC since 2013, said.
“Without the coach and the leaders in the team there is no success. We need to work together. You can only get forward and higher when you become stronger in your working together.
“Sports is about solidarity. It is about education. Without education you can’t win. Sports can be an example of solidarity. In 2020, the Oceania came to Tokyo in solidarity. The Oceania led the way because you worked in solidarity. Without solidarity there is no peace.
“If you respect someone and do not help, it is not enough. We have learned from the lessons of the pandemic and war. We need solidarity within society and to address the problems the human race is facing such as climate change. Nobody can do anything alone.”
Bach said more development assistance would be provided to the Oceania in the near future.