Sporting organisations in Fiji will have to work hard next year to generate additional revenue after the Interim Government allocated $5.491.4m to the Ministry of Youth and Sports in its 2009 Budget Estimate.

Of that amount, $2.410m is for sports only with an increase of over $938,000 compared to the 2008 Budget ($4,553.8m) released by former finance minister Mahendra Chaudry last year.

Budget allocation sees $100,000 for overseas sports tours, sports scholarships $50,000, outreach programmes $100,000, Pacific Mini Games in Cook Islands (2009) $420,000, rural facilities $200,000.

While some local sporting pundits have welcomed the budget considering the current economy in Fiji, Ministry of Youth and Sports says they will have to improvise and sacrifice in order to meet ministerial demands.

“We have made our submission and we have been directed to source from within to fulfil needs of certain areas where more provisions are needed,” Ministry of Youth and Sports Permanent Secretary Jo Matau said.

His line minister, Filipe Bole, who is also in charge of education, said sporting organizations should not cry foul if they are not assisted in the budget.

“The budget was given according to submissions. Most sporting organizations like rugby union and netball did not apply so they should not complain if they are not assisted. Everything else is intact like the tax rebate programme and certain incentives offered in this budget,” Bole added.

FASANOC president Vidya Lakhan who is away in South Africa on a Commonwealth Games General Assembly could not be reached for comment but Fiji Football Association boss Bob Kumar is keeping fingers crossed that part of the $100,000 allocation for overseas tours could be used for the Fiji U17 tour to New Zealand next year.

Fiji Rugby Union CEO Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua said they did not apply because of limited internationals next season except for the Digicel-sponsored Fiji 7s team to the annual IRB World 7s Series.

Budget estimates released today saw the Fiji Military Forces with $96.8m, Fiji Police Force gets $76.3m, Ministry of Education $278.4m, Ministry of Labour $8.5m, Ministry of Defence, National Security and Disaster Management $6.7m, Ministry of Home Affairs $24.49m, Immigration Department $2.5million, Ministry of Foreign Affairs $24.4m, Ministry of Health, Women and Social Welfare $179.5m, Ministry of Provincial Developement, Indeginous Affairs and Multi-Ethnic Affairs $48.1m, Ministry of Tourism and Trade $48, Ministry of Primary Industries $75.5m, Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development and Housing $8.3m, Ministry Of Works and Transport $150m, Public Utilities $151.3m and Elections Office $3.9m.

Fijilive

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