Everyone has been urged to take an interest in sports either as an athlete or a spectator.
This is the call from President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who was the chief guest at the Fiji Sports Council Sports Awards last night.
Nailatikau said sports bring people of all races together and everyone in this country should be encouraged to take an interest.
Nailatikau says Government has always been in support of sports in the country.
Meanwhile Weightlifter Manueli Tulo and Basketballer Valerie Nainima were last night crowned the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for 2009 at the Fiji Sports Council Sports Awards.
Tulo and Nainima both were not able to make it to the awards night because of their commitments overseas.
Tulo, who is based in New Caledonia had a good 2009 season and also broke many records and won gold medals for Fiji.
Nainima is making her name in Basketball and is a great ambassador for Fiji in USA. She is one of our top athletes playing in top level basketball competitions in the South East Women=s Conference and is also highly rated.
Bowler Ratish Lal was runner-up to Tulo in the men=s division and Weightlifter Maria Liku was the runner-up in the women=s division.
There were also awards given in other categories. The National Female Athlete of the Year award was won by 15yr-old Caroline Li from Table Tennis while National Male of the Year award went to National Athletics star and Marist Brothers High School student Banuve Tabakaucoro.
The Youth Female Athlete of the Year went to 13yr-old Elenoa Sailosi,the ACS student dubbed as the next Makelesi Bulikiobo while the Youth Male Athletes of the Year award went to Sisari Dakui of Lautoka, who was the star runner at the FMF Chow Games last year.
The Team of the Year Award was won by Fiji Volleyball=s Kulawai Volleyball Team for their achievement at the World Cup qualifying rounds.
President urges all to take interest in sports
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