FASANOC
FASANOC’s ACE Programme targeted close to over 100 athletes participating at the Women's Inter District Competition and various National Federations competitions, held over the month of November.
With the focus on Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee's (FASANOC’s)Athletes Communities Engagement Programme (ACE) targeted close to over 100 athletes participating at the Women's Inter District Competition and various National Federations competitions, held over the month of November.
Programme volunteer and ACE Champion Quintyn Stephen (Shooting) said ACE Champions advocated ACE messages to around 100 athletes aged between 12 to 28 years old from athletics, women's football, table tennis and weightlifting.
"Our main focus was Staying healthy which revolved around Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and our Be a leader message which informs athletes on good leadership principles," he said.
Praneel Singh (Billiards), Matelita Vuakoso and KinisimereRavai (Football) were part of the weekend advocacy programme.
"This weekend was also an opportunity to inform and remind athletes from all these sports about the role of ACE and how they as athletes could contribute back to the community by being a part of the programme," Quintyn said.
"The ACE Programme Champions are national athletes in their own right who give up their time to be trained to advocate and educate others on issues that affect all of us," he said.
"This was also an opportunity for young aspiring athletes to hear from role models who have represented the country, said Quintyn.
Nadi footballer Farisha Ali said the programme was inspiring and an eye opener for her.
"The programme was also educational and informative and pushes me to question what goes on around me especially the Being a leader aspect of the outreach," she said.
"I feel we need this a lot to uplift our athletes and encourage them to be more open and take on leadership roles not only in their sport but also in our communities."
Weightlifter Enrique Delailomaloma said the message revolving around being a leader was interesting for him.
"In sports we often tend to be quiet and shy, but this message makes me want to contribute more positively to my sport and also to my community," he said.
FASANOC's ACE outreach program includes initiatives like Be a Leader, Play True, Play Safe, Go Green!, Non-Communicable Diseases and HIV/AIDS and promotes athletes as role models to influence behavior change amongst their peers.
The ACE Programme is supported by IOC Olympic Solidarity and the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC).
