Salutations
Ni sa Bula Vinaka, and a very good afternoon to you all. 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.
I am deeply honored and delighted to be here this afternoon to present the long- awaited reward for our double Olympian,
Jerry Tuwai.
At the same time, to announce a decision made by Cabinet earlier this week on the Paris Olympics taking place later this year.
Aside from the sheer joy and the health benefits of sports, there is a vast economic benefit from sports.
This encompasses not only participants but revenue from sporting events, visitors and spectators, sporting goods, gyms,
clubs and the sporting infrastructure like stadiums that has been estimated at US $1.3 trillion annually in 2015.
Between 2009 and 2013 there was an annual growth of 7 per cent in the global market for sports events, faster than the GDP of most countries.
As Prime Minister, and as a former national rugby and athletic representative, I am keen to see an in-depth study into the value of the sports economy in Fiji.
In particular the value and return to Fiji of the success of our national 7s team as
embodied by Seremaia Tuwai who is being honored today.
The intent of the People’s Coalition Government on assuming office 18 months ago, was to: “Empower our Youth through
better employment opportunities.’
Youth (aged 15-24) represent almost 30% of our total population. More than 18,000 youth leave school each year.
Of this 18,000 around 14,000 enter the job market, almost all in search of formal sector jobs. Today the formal sector can only absorb 7,000 to 8,000 of these jobseekers.
Rural and urban migration has added further pressure on employment opportunities for our young people.
The People’s Coalition Government is passionate about creating a society that embraces our youth recognizing that young people matter in taking the nation forward.
Our Youth are important to us now and for future.
Recognizing that sports plays an important role in nation building, all necessary resources will be mobilized to develop sports institutions in the country.
I am pleased to report that this was discussed at the Cabinet Subcommittee on the National Budget for 2024-
2025 yesterday, and that this policy priority is being progressively realized.
Today we recognise Jerry Tuwai’s achievement as a double gold medallist.
First at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and then at Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
As Prime Minister, I acknowledge the power of sports, of sacrifice, self-belief as well as the support of his family towards
his success. Jerry Tuwai, Waisale Serevi, Roy Krishna, Vijay Singh, Eileen Cikamatana and other successful athletes are shining examples of our people who make a successful living through sports.
As Prime Minister, I want to again acknowledge Jerry and his team-mates, for being excellent Ambassadors for Fiji in
all their games, in particular at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.
Rugby was included for the first time as an Olympic Sport at the Rio 2016 Olympics and Fiji is the reigning and sole Olympic
Medallist in the history of the South Pacific.
In the aftermath of the devastation wrought by severe tropic cyclone Winston, the victory of our Sevens Gladiators in Rio
was a balm to the nation.
The victory in Rio brought us all together and our joy was instantaneous.
The 2020 Victory of our 7s Gladiators in Tokyo was sublime and we are hopeful that 2024 will see us “strike another
luck” (as the popular furniture commercial introduced into popular language.)
Please allow me to now announce the Cabinet decision made earlier this week to reward podium finishers or medallists at
the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Cabinet has agreed that a medal incentive fund be established with the cash reward for a gold medal to be set at $50,000,
silver at $20,000 and bronze at $10,000.
I commend the Hon. Minister for Youth & Sports for making this timely submission to Cabinet, to ensure that our sportsmen
and women are rewarded for their efforts, sacrifice and dedication.
I am confident that with the continued support of the government and the people of Fiji, our athletes will achieve even
greater success at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Let us all come together to rally behind them, cheer them on, and show them the unwavering support and appreciation they
deserve.
Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Jerry Tuwai on his outstanding achievement, and I wish all
our athletes the very best as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Congratulations, Vinaka vakalevu, Dhaanyavaad, Shukria, May God Bless Fiji!