The newly established Sports Commission is an investment in Fiji's future.
Those were the words of Minister for Youth and Sports Commander Viliame Naupoto when he officially announced the first office bearers of the commission yesterday in Suva.
He said the commission represented a new direction for sports in Fiji and that it would take sports development to new levels.
"The beneficiary of this new Government initiative will not only be the sporting organisations, but will include the growth of sports in our communities for both the young and old," Naupoto said.
"Sports and sport development has proven to promote community development and national building," he said.
"The future for the Sports Commission and the direction we take depends on working together and consultation with Fiji's established sporting organisations, our sports people, and our communities."
Naupoto said the commission would work with commissions of other countries to create a platform for Fiji's talented and elite athletes and help with their development.
"The future for the commission and the direction we take depends on working together and consultation with Fiji's established sporting organisations, our sports people, and our communities.
"It will take sports development to all areas of Fiji to enable us to identify the many talented athletes out there, who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to develop their "God given" talents."
He added the establishment of the commission was the result of Government's realisation that Fiji's sports people contribute substantially towards the economy.
"Fijian professional and elite athletes overseas contribute through remittances sent back to Fiji and as such are one of our country's biggest exports and foreign exchange earners," Naupoto said.