Supplied Content
Suva, Fiji, December 21, 2019
The Chinese government has offered sports scholarships and training programmes to Fijian athletes and prepare them for regional and international competitions.
Fiji’s Employment, Industrial Relations, Productivity and Youth & Sports Minister Parveen Bala said at the end of his official visit to Beijing last week that scholarships will also be available to eligible officials.
Lifting professional standards
He said that the scholarships, fully paid by the Chinese government, will help in lifting the standards of sports administration, sport medicine and sports science.
The offer was made by Chinese Sports Minister Gou Zhongwen during an official meeting with Mr Bala in the Chinese capital.
“Fiji’s relationship with the Peoples Republic of China grows from our long history since the 1970s through people-to-people links between both the countries. Fiji was China’s first bilateral partner from the Pacific,” Mr. Bala said.
Promoting Rugby
Priority areas are exchange programmes for youth to learn Rugby 7s for both Chinese men and women and in return, Fiji athletes and officials will benefit from the Chinese expertise in table tennis, badminton, swimming and track and field, he added.
“China Rugby Union has also committed to sponsor 20 Rugby players and coaches to study in China and assist in Rugby development at Club level. China Rugby has also committed to fund Fiji Rugby for development purposes,” Mr Bala said.
