The Fiji National Sports Commission will be hosting a three-day Central Community Games next month in Suva with the aim to increase around 30,000 youth participants this year.
Speaking at the launch of the 2023 Central Community Games, Commission chief executive Peter Mazey said they are hosting the tournament in trying to help the Fiji Police Force in addressing issues such as drugs and conflicts affecting the youths of our nations.
“We are looking at 30,000 youths to be part of the tournament as we have around 72 urban sports organisations and 11 central-rural sports associations.
“The number of teams expected is around 500 plus and that means around 30,000 youth participants. We don’t provide finance in cash, rather we provide sporting equipment to these associations to help them in the Games.”
“We are trying to keep them busy and help in ensuring that we have drug-free and conflict-free communities. Sports are a really big tool through which we can get everybody back together and stop our youths from engaging in harm that would affect their and their families’ lives.”
“It’s just how we are trying to build sports throughout the country at different age groups and this one’s especially for youths. Through sports, we are also trying to help the Fiji Police to address the issues affecting the youths.”
Mazey also confirmed that this year, both men and women can participate in Futsal, Netball, Volleyball and Touch Rugby.
“Last year we only did three sports that were Netball, Volleyball and Touch Rugby so we missed out on our indo-Fijians youths and to get them involved in the Games this year, we have included futsal. We are aiming to add sports by sports every year just to get our youths in the central division engaged in sports.”
Sporting associations can register their teams at their nearest community Police Post with a fee of $50 and registration closes on Friday.
The Games will be held from 7-9 December at the HFC Bank Stadium carpark.
