.gif)
Fiji can still participate in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next year if a proposal by the Commonwealth Games Federation to drop sport sanctions is accepted.
The CGF decided on Monday to ban Fiji from the 2010 Games after the island nation’s membership was suspended by the Commonwealth last month for not meeting certain conditions of membership, including holding early democratic elections.
However, according to Indian media reports, the CGF executive board has recommended the Commonwealth to remove sport as a part of sanction so that Fiji can take part in the Games.
“The General Assembly of the CGF has endorsed my proposal to lead a delegation to the Commonwealth Secretary General requesting him to take forward to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting a recommendation from us that sport be removed as part of the sanction imposed upon a nation suspended from the Commonwealth,” CGF president Mike Fennell is reported saying.
Fennell said if the proposal is accepted, Fiji can participate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
“Among the CGF members, there’s great sympathy for the plight of Fijian athletes who are aspiring to compete in New Delhi,” said Fennell.
“Sport and sporting events should be exempted from political suspension.”
Seventy one nations and territories linked to the former British Empire are expected to feature in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which are scheduled for October 3-14.
