Former Fiji Sports Minister Rajesh Singh has called on the Interim Government to focus its sports budget on areas where it could get revenue to help supplement the economy.

Singh said sports like rugby, rugby league, soccer and netball should be given more share in the sports budget to be announced by the Interim Finance Minister and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama this morning.

“Fiji needs money so the Government should focus on investing in organizations that could win revenue and world promotion,” Singh added.

“Sports like rugby, rugby league get world recognition and revenues from international tournaments. That’s money for the economy so the Government should help them off the ground. Sports are a global winner and a source of income.”

“The Vodafone Fiji Bati team is a good example. It has been struggling for years but at the Rugby League World Cup we won more than $300,000 after the Interim Government donated $100,000. We reached the semifinals and we were the talk of the world. That’s mileage and extra revenue for Fiji so the Government should look at areas where it could earn income.”

The Fiji 2009 Budget will be announced in Lami later this morning.

Fijilive

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