CHIEF GUEST: ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & CHAIRMAN – FIJI SPORTS COUNCIL EXECUTIVE BOARD, MR GILBERT VAKALALABURE

DATE: MONDAY 10 JULY 2023  |  VENUE: REGIONAL TENNIS COURTS, LAUTOKA  |  TIME: 8:00AM

• The Pacific Development Officer – International Tennis Federation, Mr Gary Purcell;
• Tennis Australia – Community Coaching Expert, Ms Natalie Delamarta;
• Representative of the Oceania Tennis Federation & Executive Member of Tennis Fiji, Mr Richard Breen;
• The Head Referee, Ms Robyn Tucker;
• Representative Officials of Pacific Oceania Regional Office;
• Officials of the Respective Federations;
• President of Tennis Fiji, Mr Romil Patel, and Members of Tennis Fiji Executive Board;
• Distinguished Guests;
• Players, Coaches, and Managers;
• Members of the Media;
• Ladies & Gentlemen.

Talofa Lava, Halo, Welkam, Kia Orana, Hafa Adai, Namaskar, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka.

It is with great pleasure and honour that I extend a warm Fijian welcome to each and every one of you, representing the diversity that is Oceania, to the 32^nd Pacific Oceania Junior Championship, here at the Regional Tennis Courts in Lautoka.

That diversity is reflected in the 13 representative countries: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, Fiji, Guam, Nauru, Northen Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu.

I would like to especially acknowledge the presence of International Tennis Federation representative from the ITF office Australia. Mr Gary Purcell – Your presence reinforces the profile of this long-standing Championship.

I am certain that ITF will continue to partner and support the respective tennis Federations in the Pacific region through its development programmes.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Fiji has hosted the Pacific Oceania Junior Championship for over 15 years, and this year, the POJC marks a milestone in the Fiji Sports Council’s timeline of memorable highlights.

The Council manages and maintains 19 sporting venues around Fiji, the Lautoka Regional Tennis Courts being one of the 19. Previously leased to Tennis Fiji and OTF, the Council has, this year, fully acquired ownership of the venue, and the 32^nd POJC marks the first ITF-sanctioned Championship to be held under the newly acquired status.

As the Fiji Sports Council strategically progresses towards acquiring sports venues previously leased, we will continue to work collaboratively with the agencies to host events such as the Pacific Oceania Junior Championship.

This premier, junior-age group event of the Oceania Tennis Federation, brings together the best junior players from the Oceania region, having progressed from three key qualifiers – The West Pacific Regional Qualifiers, East Pacific Qualifiers, and the North Pacific Qualifiers, including a team from associate member nation, New Caledonia. The Fiji Sports Council is, indeed, honoured to host you all at our venue.

The POJC will showcase the resilience and dedication of all of you, young athletes in the Under-16, Under-14, and Under-12 categories, and we, as well as your respective Federations, including your families and friends in your home countries, will be focussed on the results in the coming days.

As you know, the POJC is the stepping stone to ITF-sanctioned tournaments, and I urge you to embrace the spirit of healthy competition.

I am told that of the total 110 participants from the 13 participating Oceania countries, 89 are players. Whether or not you win a medal or trophy, remember that success is not only measured by the polished hardware, but also by the friendships forged, the lessons learned, and the personal growth achieved throughout the subsequent game days. Sporting events offer that special opportunity, where friendship bonds are renewed and new friendships are formed.

To all participating players – Across the 10 days of competition, I encourage you to take the time to network among yourselves, not just within your team, but also with players from the other attending countries, including with the officials. Learn as much as you can.

You inspire us with your dedication, discipline, and perseverance.

Additionally, I am certain that representative technical officials present will take the opportunity to network on the fringes of this Championship, and expand dialogue on the development of the sport of tennis in the region.

In this 32^nd Pacific Oceania Junior Championship – Let us embrace the power of sports to inspire, uplift, and bring us together to celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt welcome to all guests and participants from the Oceania region. May this Championship be a memorable and enriching experience for everyone involved.

I now declare the 32^nd Pacific Oceania Junior Championship open.

Vinaka vakalevu.

ENDS