Besides excitement and the development of sports for the disabled community, the visiting Samoan team used the Digicel Fiji Paralympics Games to expose their athletes.
Being the only team from the region to part-take in the two-day event which commenced at the National Stadium today, Samoa chief de mission Frida Keil said that their participation is a good build-up to the Arafura Games which will be held in Australia in March.
“There is not much interest on disable sports in Samoa like here in Fiji,” Keil said.
“We were impressed with the turn-out, the support and also the level at which the competition is played here in Fiji. We conducted a trial in Samoa last month and we selected six athletes for this tour.
“I’m happy with their performance this event has further developed their skills and has exposed them to tense competition. Being here is a learning experience for them and I hope that we’ll be able to field a large squad next year.”
The event has brought about competition amongst 700 athletes from 17 Special Education schools and eight Disabled Peoples Organisations.
Fiji Disable Peoples Association executive Sainiana Tukana indicated that the event has vastly contributed to the development of sports within the disabled community and will help Fiji become competitive and the next Paralympics Game.
“This disabled sports awareness not only strengthens the social life of the disabled people but also contributes to the development of our potential athletes. We’re grateful to our sponsors for making this awareness happen and also for signing up a three years partnership with us,” Tukana said.
“We’re trying to expose the athlete and to develop their skills so that they’re able to make it to the World Paralympics Game.”
The event had a colourful start yesterday with a march from the Suva Flea Market to the Suva Foreshore. A special welcome was accorded to Digicel Brand Ambassador Waisale Serevi and the team from Samoa while the opening address was made by the Digicel Fiji CEO John Delves.
Meanwhile, Australia Sports Commission Rob Regent was the chief guest to the event and has also helped fund the development of the sports for the disabled throughout the Pacific.
Day One ended on a high note with outstanding performance from the field, the track final and the team sports is set for day-two.
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