Fiji fights to be in Games
December 1 2009
Fiji will appeal its exclusion from the 2010 Commonwealth Games, says the FASANOC.
Vidya Lakhan, head of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, said his organization would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
This follows the Commonwealth leaders’ meeting in Trinidad on Monday which confirmed a decision to suspend Fiji over the failure of the military-led government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama to meet timelines for the restoration of democracy.
Lakhan, a long serving Fiji sports administrator, said the decision taken at the CHOGM in Trinidad to ban Fiji from next year's games in New Delhi was "disappointing".
"We reiterate our position and that is that we see CHOGM's stance in this matter as political interference in sports," Lakhan said. "We will now take our case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and this is our last straw.
"The decision made there will stand and we will all have to abide by it."
A spokesman for Prime Minister Bainimarama said Fiji's exclusion from the 2010 games was an inappropriate way to achieve the Commonwealth's aims.
"We hope that the Commonwealth will reconsider this decision," Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, Pio Tikoduadua said. "They should not mix politics with sports. This is not helping in finding solutions to our problems."
Lakhan told the Fiji Times he had legal opinions which suggested Fiji had a strong case for reinstatement to the Commonwealth Games and he would be filing papers with the Court of Arbitration for Sport within two weeks.
"I would suggest that they (CHOGM) get into communication with the IOC and learn how sports and politics are separate," he said.
"Politicians are playing their game and of course their intention is to deprive athletes of opportunities. I guess politicians are only good at depriving people of opportunities."
Bainimarama seized power in a December 2006 coup and Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth on September 1 when his government backed down on pledges to hold elections by 2010.
"The ban is unconstitutional and FASANOC representatives should be at the CHOGM meeting to lobby the Heads of Governments for their support.
"We shall be seeking assistance from all CGAs and NOCs, requesting them to brief their Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Government to speak against the CMAG recommendation and have it removed from the list of Commonwealth sanctions so that no athlete from any Commonwealth country is penalised in the future."
FASANOC will be seeking public support as well both at home and internationally.
A webpage 'Let Fiji Play' has been developed where people can register and lend their support
Fiji will appeal its exclusion from the 2010 Commonwealth Games, says the FASANOC.
Vidya Lakhan, head of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, said his organization would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
This follows the Commonwealth...
Fiji will appeal its exclusion from the 2010 Commonwealth Games, says the FASANOC.
Vidya Lakhan, head of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee, said his organization would appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
This follows the Commonwealth leaders’ meeting in Trinidad on Monday which confirmed a decision to suspend Fiji over the failure of the military-led government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama to meet timelines for the restoration of democracy.
Lakhan, a long serving Fiji sports administrator, said the decision taken at the CHOGM in Trinidad to ban Fiji from next year's games in New Delhi was "disappointing".
"We reiterate our position and that is that we see CHOGM's stance in this matter as political interference in sports," Lakhan said. "We will now take our case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and this is our last straw.
"The decision made there will stand and we will all have to abide by it."
A spokesman for Prime Minister Bainimarama said Fiji's exclusion from the 2010 games was an inappropriate way to achieve the Commonwealth's aims.
"We hope that the Commonwealth will reconsider this decision," Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, Pio Tikoduadua said. "They should not mix politics with sports. This is not helping in finding solutions to our problems."
Lakhan told the Fiji Times he had legal opinions which suggested Fiji had a strong case for reinstatement to the Commonwealth Games and he would be filing papers with the Court of Arbitration for Sport within two weeks.
"I would suggest that they (CHOGM) get into communication with the IOC and learn how sports and politics are separate," he said.
"Politicians are playing their game and of course their intention is to deprive athletes of opportunities. I guess politicians are only good at depriving people of opportunities."
Bainimarama seized power in a December 2006 coup and Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth on September 1 when his government backed down on pledges to hold elections by 2010.
"The ban is unconstitutional and FASANOC representatives should be at the CHOGM meeting to lobby the Heads of Governments for their support.
"We shall be seeking assistance from all CGAs and NOCs, requesting them to brief their Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of Government to speak against the CMAG recommendation and have it removed from the list of Commonwealth sanctions so that no athlete from any Commonwealth country is penalised in the future."
FASANOC will be seeking public support as well both at home and internationally.
A webpage 'Let Fiji Play' has been developed where people can register and lend their support
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