Venue: WAINIKORO
Executive Members – Nadogo Bilibili Association;
Turaga ni Mataqali Navialoa;
Sponsors;
Participating Teams;
Invited Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to all of you.
It is indeed an honor for me to be here in the District of Nadogo to officiate as Chief Guest at the Nadogo Bilibili Race 2018.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I would like to commend the organisers of today’s event for their insight in putting together Vanua Levu’s first ever bilibili race. I’ve been informed that it will be the biggest race, the Northern division has ever seen.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Nadogo Bilibili Race will see a group of more than 50 teams participating in the 6 categories and taking on the challenging course of the Wainikoro Mouta River. The course of 100 meters – one way, will also see participants competing in the Single, Double and the over 45 age category.
With the bilibili race commencing today, participants as well as supporters, would get to see what our beautiful country has to offer. Furthermore, the intention to develop this area for tourism purposes, would come into fruition sooner rather than later.
Ladies and Gentlemen
At this juncture, I would like to commend the great work done by the Nadogo Bilibili Association thus far. With the formation of the Association just a month ago, the Association intends to empower the youth in the area and organising this bilibili race is a good way to bring everyone together, especially the youth of Nadogo.
Moreover, the Association is also planning on introducing activities which could attract more tourists to the District of Nadogo. Activities such as shark feeding, mountain climbing, hiking, diving and kayaki to name a few.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Through this event, we hope to promote adventure tourism offerings in the country and showcase other areas of the country outside the main tourism hot spots. In doing so, this directly contributes to a key strategy of Government’s Tourism Development Plan, also known as the Fijian Tourism 2021, to diversify our tourism market beyond the traditional sun, sand and sea for which we are famously known for. Through this event, we would be able to do just that.
Ladies and Gentlemen
I’m also glad to see the support of many stakeholders to this event. Through tourism the Fijian Government spreads the tourism dollar through the communities to help develop and improve our local livelihoods. I thank the organizers for their continued contributions to the communities they engage and interact with.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Coming back to today’s event, I hope to one day see this race turn into a big bilibili festival where not only the residents of Nadogo will participate in and enjoy, but the whole of Vanua Levu.
With those words, I wish the participants all the very best and may the best team win.
Thank You and Vinaka Vakalevu.