Fiji Sports commission assists Bati world cup campaign

Fiji Batis. Getty images

THE Fiji National Sports Commission presented the Vodafone Fiji Bati side with more than half a million dollars yesterday to help with its preparation for the Rugby League World Cup which starts at the end of next month.

Fiji National Rugby League intends to use $589,382 to look after the welfare of the players and cater for other expenses during the word cup.

Commission executive chairman Peter Mazey said this was the biggest grant they had given to any sporting federation in the country.

He hoped the contribution would help the team finish on the top spot in the RLWC which would be co-hosted by England and Wales.

Fiji finished fourth at the 2008 RLWC.

"After seeing the game (on Thursday last week) we got a very good chance but one of the great things that come out of this is this young lad Tikiko Noke," Mazey said.

"It's all about development of youths.

"The sports commission is set up basically to develop sports throughout the whole country and to take our youths to a new level and here we have a young boy who is now at the highest level in Fiji."

Noke, 19, is the youngest player in the Fiji Bati team for the world cup.

FNRL board vice chairman Josefa Ravatudei said: "We thank the commission and the government for their support.

"The government in the past has assisted us including the world cup in 2008".

Fiji Times