Lack of funding and lack of effort put in by some sporting federations has led to the dismal performance of Team Fiji at this year’s Pacific Games in New Caledonia.

Team Fiji finished fourth in this year’s Pacific Games after only winning 33 gold medals while our athletes settled for 43 silver and 53 bronze medals.

Teams like athletics and swimming along with 7s rugby, soccer and basketball which we relied on before to rake in gold medals were not that competitive in comparison to other Pacific athletes.

So, who is to be blamed for our performance and how can our athletes improve at the International level.

An interesting revelation made just a few days ago is that on a team of 309 athletes, FASANOC spent an average of less than $1,000 per athlete in preparation.

FASANOC President Vidhya Lakhan said the various sporting federations need to get their act together now.