Nearly 100 representatives from 33 National Sports Federations, along with essential stakeholders, gathered in Suva for a comprehensive Team Fiji Performance and Pathways Workshop this past Saturday. This event marks a critical milestone in Fiji’s strategic preparations for the upcoming 2027 Pacific Games set to take place in Tahiti, with less than 17 months left until the games commence.
The workshop aimed to galvanize a united national performance approach that positions the 2027 Games as an opportunity to enhance performance systems, clarify athlete pathways, and ensure accountability. The goal is to generate forward momentum, not just for the Pacific Games but also for future events like the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
At the recent 2023 Pacific Games held in Honiara, Fiji finished sixth on the medal tally, which has prompted organizers to ensure that preparations for the Tahiti games are intentional and organized, avoiding any reactive measures. Assistant Minister for Sport Aliki Bia and the president of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC), Cathy Wong, encouraged Team Fiji to aim for a top-three finish in Tahiti, while emphasizing the need for stronger planning and sustained commitment across all sports.
Ajay Ballu, the Chef de Mission for the Tahiti 2027 Games, echoed this call to action, stressing that the expectations set forth need to materialize into actionable plans and tangible progress.
The workshop was guided by experienced sports leader Atma Maharaj, who provided insights into Fiji’s performance trends over the years and stressed that all sports play a role in contributing to the nation’s overall medal count. The 24 participating sports were categorized into four performance groups to better focus their efforts on maximizing medal opportunities.
Samu Savou, a former national hockey representative, underscored the importance of trust within teams, asserting that true leadership emerges from collective commitment. He encouraged sports federations to unite around a common purpose, establish discipline, and maintain processes necessary for performance under pressure.
A pivotal session titled “Winning on Purpose” showcased exemplary preparations from athletes competing at both Olympic and world stage levels. Fiji Rugby’s high-performance leader, Naca Cawanibuka, shared valuable strategies from past Olympics, emphasizing the necessity of preparation aligned with competitive demands and mental preparedness.
Additionally, funding and support mechanisms were discussed, including Olympic Solidarity funding options presented by Lyndall Fisher. Both Fisher and Fiji National Sports Commission CEO Peter Mazey highlighted the significance of government funding while unveiling plans for a National Sports Conference aimed at creating a High-Performance Sports Science Support system to elevate athletic performance across Fiji.
Looking ahead to Brisbane 2032, Maharaj encouraged sports to initiate long-term strategic planning now, outlining how outcomes in Tahiti should influence future performance goals and orientations. Furthermore, a multi-stakeholder follow-up workshop is scheduled for late April to address not just high-performance outcomes, but broader opportunities in sports.
A significant initiative stemming from this workshop is the introduction of the National Federation Performance Planning Contract, dubbed “Turning Ambition into Action.” Each federation must complete and submit this contract, which serves as an accountability measure rather than a funding request, by February 28, 2026.
To ensure accountability, an “Accountability Buddy” system was established, pairing the 33 sports into eight collaborative clusters, set to convene monthly over the next three months to track progress, commitments, and next steps with a focus on achieved outcomes.
The workshop culminated in a resolute affirmation: The Tahiti 2027 Games represent more than just another sporting event; they serve as a critical assessment of Fiji’s capacity to plan, prepare, and execute with deliberate intent. With defined ambitions in place and frameworks being refined, it is now up to each sport to deliver on these expectations.