FIJI will be hosting the 2014 Oceania Weightlifting Championships in Suva.
The Oceania Weightlifting Congress, being held in Samoa, considered Fiji’s bid to host the event after Federated States of Micronesia withdrew its bid.
Weightlifting Fiji official Chris Yee said Fiji‘s bid was presented by our number one weightlifter Manueli Tulo.
Yee said hosting the regional event for the third time spoke the volume of facility Fiji had to run international events.
“Doctor Thamas Ajan, the president of International Weightlifting Federation announced that the championships will also serve as the qualification event for the 2nd Youth Olympic Games, which will be held in 2014 in Nanjing, China,” Yee said.
“Fiji last hosted the championships in 2010, on behalf of Nauru.”
Yee said the championship would also serve as a testing ground for the weightlifters aiming to make the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
He said the local weightlifters would benefit through participating against the region‘s best in this championship.
“The 2014 Oceania Weightlifting Championship is a catalyst for the 2016 Rio Olympics and the participating countries are expected to bring large contingents as the championship will help them for the 2016 Olympics qualifiers,” Yee said.
“Fiji will provide an ideal environment for the participating teams and international dignitaries.”
Fiji’s bid was supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee.