The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) Voices of the Athletes (VOA) program champions were in action at several sporting events held over the Diwali holiday.
The VOA champions, with the focus mainly on the overarching message of “be a leader,” advocated to athletes participating in athletics, hockey and swimming.
Athletics Fiji continued its weekly competition over the weekend which involved athletes from Namosi and Nausori athletics club among others.
Fiji Hockey Federation held a super nines tournament that also included clubs from Lautoka and Fiji Swimming had its long course age group nationals.
VOA champions that advocated at the respective events included Leah Seru (basketball), Annette Nainima, Cecelia Nainima, Kinisimere Ravai (football), Joana Lesi (cricket), Tessa Harman, Tailah Ah Yuk, Catherine Fabiano, Richard Eyre, Hector Smith (hockey), Anegha Narayan (tae kwon do), Helen Saipua (weightlifting), MaricaTogayali (volleyball), Cheyenne Rova, Epeli Rabua, Sevuloni Tuisorisori (swimming), Jone Bogidrau (para) and VOA officer Matelita- Vuakoso.
VOA champion and hockey rep Catherine Fabiano said the outreach at the hockey turf was the first since COVID-19 restrictions earlier this year.
“We took this as an opportunity to just remind athletes and advocate on our programs messages which include play true which focuses on awareness on drugs in sports, stay healthy awareness and prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), go green – minimising the use of single use plastics,” she said.
“Some of our senior players that have gone through the program were helpful in bringing other athletes to our booth and just letting them know about the VOA program and what we do.” FASANOC chief executive officer, Lorraine Mar, who was on hand to observe the program at the hockey turf acknowledged the VOA champions’ dedication in volunteering their time over the long weekend.
She said she was inspired by their enthusiasm and commitment in educating their fellow athletes and entourage.
Lorraine said: “the VOA program is an excellent example of the role that sports can play as a tool for sustainable development for the country.”
The CEO also took the opportunity to thank the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) for their support.
FASANOC through the VOA program is committed to supporting the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) message about the positive health, social and economic impacts of sport on society through its own strategic plan.
FASANOC is excited to further promote the IOC’s #Stronger- Together campaign by running public service announcements (PSAs) on Fiji TV, showcasing athlete champions who relay social messages about making healthy choices, staying active, not littering and many other such messages. You can see some of the PSAs on the FASANOC page, fasanoc. org.fj.
