Farewell Chris Yee

Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) is deeply saddened by the untimely loss of Christopher Dard Keung Yee, fondly known as Chris, who succumbed to Covid-19 this week.

Chris joined the FASANOC family when he was ‘recruited’ in 2001 as a General Manager for Team Fiji for the 2003 South Pacific Games that Fiji hosted. He hasn’t looked back since.

He was Chef De Mission for the Team Fiji to the 2012 Olympic Games, 2006, 2010 & 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2004 and 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games.

He was Deputy Chef De Mission / Team General Manager for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2007, 2011, 2015 & 2019 Pacific Games, and 2005 & 2017 Pacific Mini Games.

Chris has been a pillar of support for the TEAM FIJI and FASANOC staff for over two decades having served 3 full terms of 6 years on the FASANOC Executive Board as Vice President Finance from 2007 to 2013. He was a person of great integrity that could be relied on and went the extra mile to get things done for FASANOC, Team Fiji, National Federations and individuals.

Chris also played an important role in the development of several National Federations including being a long-time office bearer for Weightlifting, Squash and Table Tennis.

Since 2002, Chris has been a driving force for Weightlifting Fiji and the development of the sport and its elite performances, having served as Secretary-General, Vice President and Team Manager.

Chris was the Organising Secretary of the highly successful 2010 & 2016 Oceania Weightlifting Championships and the 2019 IWF World Junior Championships. Chris became a Life Member of Weightlifting Fiji in 2013 for long and meritorious service to the sport.

Chris served as Vice President, Executive Member, Coach, Team Captain and Player with Squash Fiji from 2005 to 2009. In 2006, he was made a Life Member of Squash Fiji for his long and distinguished service.

He served Fiji Table Tennis Association as Vice President for 10 years from 2004 to 2013.

Chris went out of his way to help many minor sports such as Boxing, Karate and Powerlifting with their development programs and supported elite athletes to successful national and international outings.

Chris was an accomplished athlete at school, having excelled in Athletics, Rugby, Football, and Table Tennis.

Chris was very much the heart and soul of Leylands Limited, serving the company selflessly for over 41 years. At the time of his passing, Chris was the General Manager of the company.

He made significant contributions and service to the community with his honesty and reliability that was acknowledged by him being appointed a Justice of the Peace (JP) in 2002.For his dedication and distinguished record of service to sport in Fiji, FASANOC conferred the FIJI OLYMIC ORDER to Chris in 2014.

Chris was recognized by the Fiji Government in 2020 for his contributions to the country when he was awarded the Fiji 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal.

Chris is survived by his sisters Margaret, Fay, May, Helen and younger brother Dard.

Rest in peace our dear friend and colleague