The Fiji Muslim League National President;
Trustees;
Vice Presidents;
Executive Members;
Branch Managers;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Bula vinaka, As salam wa leikum and a very good afternoon to you all,
I am delighted to be with you in Nausori this afternoon and be part of the Fiji Muslim Sports Association 58th IDC Tournament.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We are a nation of sports lovers and they play a very important part in the lives of all Fijians – bringing us together despite our diverse backgrounds. It builds our sense of nationhood- our pride in being Fijian- and binds us together in a way that is unique.
Through this Inter-District Tournament, friends and families come together and renew your friendships, enjoy each other’s company and at the same time reflect on the League’s objective, which is to keep the community together by inculcating good human and morale values.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I must thank the organisers for this great initiative, as it not only provides you the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and be merry, but to also engage in some form of physical exercise, which is very important. It is sad to note that Fiji is not a healthy nation, as we continue to kill ourselves with diseases such as heart disease, cancers, diabetes, mental disorders, respiratory diseases and cardiovascular disease, which are Non-Communicable Diseases.
Ladies and Gentlemen
One of the major risks to our population is the rising crisis of Non-Communicable Diseases or NCDs. In recent decades, NCDs have become the biggest killer in Fiji, causing thousands of deaths every year, many of those deaths premature and affecting the lives of many more. From 2014 to 2016, premature deaths caused by NCDs ranged from 40 to 42 percent for those below the age of 60 years and physical inactivity or lack of exercise is a contributing factor.
Moreover, the premature mortality rates (for the population) demonstrates that almost 3 in a thousand people die prematurely from NCDs.
Thus, I encourage you to actively and enthusiastically participate in the coming days and continue to do so, even after this tournament. For those of you who have not started, now is the time and today is the day.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Having a productive and a healthy work force is extremely important for the development of any nation. While Fiji is on the road to economic prosperity, it is also rapidly becoming a society of opportunity. There is a new spirit of optimism in the air and confidence in our nation has never been higher.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Since 1945, this Inter District Tournament has been a much-awaited sporting event, bringing together talented teams and individuals from the districts to showcase their skills and abilities. Continue raising the already high quality and standards of Fijian soccer will nurture players at this level to prepare for national level.
From the Fijian Government’s perspective, we believe the best way to help accomplish this is by treating all sporting agencies equally. In the past, an ethnic perspective all but enforced a policy of segregation into different sports based on race.
This was wrong – plain and simple. The Government has overseen that participation should be and is now based on interest and ability- nothing else.
We are all Fijians under our Constitution and in our eyes soccer is a prominent national sport. The Fijian Government will do everything in its power to ensure that the sport is open to any child with an interest in the game, no matter what their background is or where they are from.
The future we want for our children is of equality. We want them to grow up in a country that respects and cherishes our different cultures and traditions, but at the same time takes pride in a common national identity.
In Government, like in football, you have to play the full 90 minutes – you have to have a game plan that extends beyond the first half. The Fijian Government has taken a long-term view to make the necessary adjustments and reforms that not only brought benefits, but which lay the foundation for a unified, secure and prosperous future.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have always believed that football has been a great unifying force. It attracts players and fans from all backgrounds and brings them together. It’s one of our major national sports and is much loved by Fijians across the country. I myself am a soccer enthusiast and in my much younger days was a participant in this tournament.
Sporting prowess is something that every Fijian respects. And whether you win or lose, it is your participation – to the best of your ability – that commands respect. If you can instil good sportsmanship and fair play in even one Fijian child, you too are a winner and are doing our nation proud.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before I conclude, I wish to remind you all that the Ministry of Economy is undertaking stakeholder and public consultations on the 2017-2018 National Budget. This process is a very unique but very important process that will allow all Fijians to contribute to the National Budget. I therefore encourage you to effectively participate and make your submission to the budget process.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Coming back to your participation in the next four days, I have been informed that the number of teams participating this year has increased to 17, with the semi-finals and final to be held on Monday. We can therefore expect to see some quality football during the tournament, especially with the defending champions Makoi, now under the leadership of former Rewa centre mid-field Shakir Ali.
Today’s event brings back memories of the days when I played representing my home town. Minister to elaborate more on this.
Ladies and Gentlemen
This is not a day for long speeches so I wish you all the very best for the tournament and hope you all enjoy the many reunions that are taking place at this event.
With those words, it gives me great pleasure to declare the Fiji Muslim Sports Association 2017 IDC Tournament open.
Shukria, Vinaka Vakalevu, Thank You.