FASANOC
FASANOC Medical Commission would like to remind athletes, coaches, and team managers to remain informed, up to date and vigilant especially while COVID-19 continues to remain a threat.
The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee's (FASANOC) Medical Commission would like to remind athletes, coaches, and team managers to remain informed, up to date and vigilant especially while COVID-19 continues to remain a threat.
Medical Commission Chairperson, Doctor Jone Nasome, said it was important for everyone's safety and well being that they adhere to advice from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services as well as the FASANOC Medical team.
Dr Nasome said COVID-19 protocols and guidelines put in place by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services were to ensure the safety of everyone involved in sports.
"It is encouraging to see that FASANOC is taking a leading role in making athletes and officials more aware of these guidelines and protocols," he said.
"With the lifting of restrictions, we tend to relax and forget about safety measures and this could be harmful to those hoping to be a member of Team Fiji."
Dr Nasome said COVID-19 posed a lot of challenges for Team Fiji especially whilst preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
"We have learnt from the challenges of Team Fiji’s COVID-19 mitigation process and also how to demonstrate teamwork across a spectrum of stakeholders that ensured the interest and welfare of Team Fiji is always kept in the forefront." he said.
Dr Nasome said the health and well being of athletes and officials continues to be the primary focus of FASANOC and Team Fiji medical members, especially at the upcoming Pacific Mini Games being held in Saipan and Commonwealth Games which are being held in Birmingham
He said the FASANOC Medical Commission will work closely with the Organising Committees of both Games to ensure that Team Fiji adheres to all COVID 19 protocols put in place by both host countries.
FASANOC Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Mar highlighted that it is Team Fiji’s Policy that only fully vaccinated athletes, coaches and managers will be allowed to travel to both Games. Pacific Games Council Executive Director, Andrew Minogue, has already stated through the media that COVID-19 vaccinations could become compulsory.
"Our message would be to get vaccinated for your own protection, for protection of your family and your community," he told Radio NZ.
Despite the lifting of COVID restrictions, Ms Mar continues to remind local sporting bodies to continue to strictly adhere to COVID-19 restrictions put in place.
Meanwhile, Team Fiji held its first medical screening for all athletes, coaches and managers hoping to participate at the 2022 Pacific Mini Games in Saipan, Northern Marianas and 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.
Over 100 athletes from the sports of Athletics, Baseball, Boxing, Golf, Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon, Va'a and Weighlifting were present while athletes from the sport of Rugby Sevens had their own medical screening. Lawn Bowls athletes were unable to attend due to competition.
The FASANOC Medical Team of Dr Jone Nasome and Physiotherapist Sharlene Nand was assisted by Doctors Ravi Naidu, Gyan Prasad and Jope Makutu,along with Psychologist Pene Drodrolagi Tove and Physiotherapists Reapi Qeteqetelevu, Derek Singh, Orisi Toloi, Jeryka Prasad, Nalisha Singh and Sarote Nakaora.
Ms Mar said that FASANOC was very grateful to the medical team who had volunteered their time and services for Team Fiji.
Section Managers and Coaches have been advised to discuss with the Medical Team any medication or supplements that athletes may be taking, so that the medication or supplements can be cleared from the WADA list of Banned Substances.
Dr Nasome advised that more information on the WADA List of Banned Substances and Drugs could be found at www.wada-ama.org or Team Officials could also contact FASANOC on 3303525 or email teamfiji@fasanoc.org.fj for contact details of Dr Jone Nasome, Chair of the FASANOC Medical Commission.
