In Suva, nearly 100 representatives from 33 National Sports Federations and key stakeholders convened for a vital Team Fiji Performance and Pathways Workshop this past Saturday. As the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti approach—less than 17 months away—this event sets the stage for Fiji’s strategic preparations to enhance athletic performance and clarify athlete pathways.
The workshop’s primary aim was to foster a cohesive national performance approach, positioning the upcoming Games as an opportunity to improve performance systems and ensure accountability in the lead-up to both the Pacific Games and future events like the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Fiji’s sixth-place finish in the recent 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara has catalyzed organizers to ensure that preparations for the Tahiti Games are proactive and thoroughly planned.
Assistant Minister for Sport Aliki Bia and FASANOC President Cathy Wong encouraged Team Fiji to set their sights on a top-three finish in Tahiti, highlighting the necessity of robust planning and committed execution across all sports. Ajay Ballu, the Chef de Mission for Tahiti 2027, echoed these sentiments, urging stakeholders to transform expectations into actionable plans and tangible progress.
Under the guidance of sports leader Atma Maharaj, the workshop focused on Fiji’s historical performance trends and the contributions of various sports to the nation’s overall medal tally. The 24 participating sports were organized into four performance groups to maximize medal opportunities.
Former national hockey representative Samu Savou emphasized the importance of trust and collective commitment in team dynamics, advocating for unity and discipline among sports federations. A key session titled “Winning on Purpose” featured athletes preparing for Olympic and world competitions, where Fiji Rugby’s high-performance leader, Naca Cawanibuka, shared strategies on aligning preparation with competitive demands.
Funding mechanisms were also a focal point, with Olympic Solidarity funding options discussed by Lyndall Fisher. Fisher, along with Fiji National Sports Commission CEO Peter Mazey, underscored the importance of government funding and outlined plans for a National Sports Conference to develop a High-Performance Sports Science Support system.
Looking ahead to Brisbane 2032, Maharaj encouraged sports to start developing long-term strategic plans that reflect desired outcomes from Tahiti. A follow-up workshop is planned for late April to explore broader opportunities in sports beyond high-performance metrics.
A notable initiative emerging from the workshop is the “Turning Ambition into Action” contract, which requires each federation to submit a performance planning contract as an accountability measure by February 28, 2026. To further ensure accountability, an “Accountability Buddy” system will pair the federations into collaborative clusters, convening monthly to track progress and commitments.
In conclusion, the Tahiti 2027 Games are more than just another competition; they are a pivotal assessment of Fiji’s planning and execution capabilities. With clear ambitions established and frameworks being refined, it is now the responsibility of each sport to meet these expectations and drive Fiji toward success. The efforts depicted in this workshop instill hope that Fiji will not only rise to the challenge in Tahiti but also lay a strong foundation for future sporting endeavors.