I would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we stand today, ki Nadonumai, vua na Turaga na Tui Suva.
I pay my respects to their Chiefs past and present, as well as to emerging leaders and members of the Vanua o’ Nadonumai who
may be present here this afternoon.
I acknowledge their role in caring for the Vanua. May their strength and wisdom be with us today.
Warm Fijian Welcome
To the visiting athletes from our Oceania/Pasifika Family, I want to bid you a very warm Fijian welcome to the beautiful
Islands of Fiji and our Capital, the City of Suva, especially if you are visiting for the first time.
As a nation deeply rooted in sports, the people of Fiji, are honoured to host the 2024 Oceania Athletics Championships.
I stand before you today with immense pride and joy as a passionate athlete myself, and one who will be proudly competing in the Masters Division at this year’s Championships,
Today’s opening ceremony embodies the spirit of excellence which you athletes strive for every day.
You train away from the cameras and the crowds, day in and day out, perfecting your skills and prowess in preparing for championships like this one.
I want to congratulate you all for qualifying to compete in this Oceania Championships 2024. In your quest for victory, the world now lies before you: the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships.
The glittering possibilities are endless! I also want to acknowledge your families, who support you through your training, as well as your coaches.
I also acknowledge your Governments, sponsors and sports officials in your countries, who make events like today possible.
This afternoon, it is also important to reflect on the genesis of this event, the Oceania Athletics Championships.
Thirty-four years ago, in 1990, Fiji embarked on a historic journey by hosting the inaugural Oceania Athletics Championships.
Since then, we have continued to embrace athletes from across the region, fostering friendships and mutual respect through the universal language of sport.
Today, we once again welcome competitors from 22 countries, reaffirming our commitment to nurturing sports, camaraderie
and excellence within our sea of islands.
You may have heard of my vision, to declare the Pacific as an Ocean or “Zone of Peace.”
It is my hope that Pacific Islands Forum members will unite to declare our Ocean of Peace to the world, making the region and its
peoples the very emblems of peace.
Peacebuilding at home and on the global and regional stage is the key agenda for Fiji and the priority of the government I lead.
Sports is an inclusive means of uniting our peoples and the world to advocate for peace and working together for peace and prosperity.
Milestones of the 2024 Championships
I now turn to this year’s Championships. These Championships are embracing athletes of all ages and abilities, from the promising talents of the Under 16 category to the seasoned expertise of our Masters and Paralympic competitors.
This event is also a boon for our economy as over 1,100 athletes, team and technical officials, families and support groups converge on our shores, invigorating local businesses and showcasing Fiji’s beauty to the world.
Most significantly, these Championships promote health and well-being (SDG5), inspiring individuals of all ages to lead active
lifestyles and improve physical and mental fitness.
As we embark on this journey together, let us uphold the core values of athletics: integrity, respect, and fair play. As a former Fiji Rugby and National Athletics representative and flagbearer for Team Fiji and Decathlete at the 1974 Commonwealth
Games, I understand the significance of these Championships firsthand.
I also wish to commend the leading Australian and New Zealand athletes who have joined their Pacific counterparts in striving for excellence.
In attending this championship, they have the opportunity to secure bonus points for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as the World Athletics Under 20 Championships and the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
I wish to express my heartfelt best wishes to each competitor as you seek to set new standards of performance and achievement.
I know your time here will be filled with unforgettable experiences, lifelong friendships, and moments of triumph that will inspire
generations to come.
Fiji’s government and our people extend heartfelt gratitude to the Oceania Athletics Association, and to President Robin Sapong-Eugenio and his Council for entrusting Fiji with the honour of hosting the Championships.
I commend the prompt action by the Ministry of Sports in facilitating upgrades to our tracks through the Fiji Sports Council and allocating funds for new equipment and organizational expenses via the Fiji National Sports Commission.
Looking beyond Fiji, the 2024 Oceania Championships serve as a launchpad for Fiji and indeed other Pacific Island nations to
attract and host major international competitions.
Brisbane 2032 has been declared a Games For Oceania, presenting numerous platforms for the region to mobilize and maximize outcomes.
37. Here’s how Fiji and the Pacific can contribute:
Pre-Games Training Centres:
Hundreds of athletes from 206 countries will seek training camps for acclimation and time zone
adaptation. What better place than Fiji and other Pacific Islands, with their direct connectivity? I challenge Athletics Fiji and other Pacific Island nations to step up early and explore this opportunity.
Development of Technical Officials:
Investing in technical official training now, using platforms like this Oceania Championships, can create a pool of qualified
individuals to officiate at Brisbane 2032.
Brisbane 2032 Games Volunteers:
The Games will require a large number of volunteers. I encourage the Organizing Committee to look to its Pacific neighbours, including the Pacific Islands, as a valuable source.
New Levels of Performance Outcomes:
The eight-year runway with improved competition pathways, for our Pacific Athletes in Australia and New Zealand and beyond,
and higher standards of competition at our Oceania Championships will see more athletes from the Pacific qualifying for Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
Finally, let’s not forget the power of Athletics in reducing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which are such a menace in all the
Pacific Islands as we clamor towards the Western diet and sedentary lifestyle of chasing immediate entertainment on our phones and gadgets.
I urge our Pacific peoples to embrace sports and improve not only your health but also your families; well-being.
In closing, let us together, make these Championships a celebration of excellence, inclusion, and the boundless potential of the human spirit!
It is now with much pleasure and pride that I open the 2024 Oceania Area Championships!
Vinaka vakalevu, thank you & May God bless You All!