The Minister for Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru, met with the Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Honorable Pat Conroy, at Namaka Public School to strengthen ties through the Vuvale Partnership in sports development in Fiji.

Minister Saukuru said, “This is a new day and a day to celebrate our partnership, something that we are always thankful for.” He added, “Fiji and Australia share a very strong and enduring bilateral relationship through the Vuvale Partnership.

Saukuru thanked the Honorable Pat Conroy and the government of Australia for their continuing support in the Sports Development in Fiji.

He further stated that the support of the Australian government has also enabled Fiji, as well as the tiny island nations in the Pacific, to punch above their weights in terms of sports in the international arena, which is something Fiji is so thankful for.

The Australian Minister for International Development and Pacific, Pat Conroy, said he was in Fiji because sports bring people together between the two countries, Fiji and Australia. Hon. Pat Conroy also congratulated the Fijiana Drua and Fiji Drua.

He said, “For the Fijian Drua Women’s Team to win two grand finals in a row and be runner-up in the third round is a tremendous achievement.” He added, Hon.Pat Conroy wishes the Fiji Drua for their upcoming quarter-final.”

Conroy also congratulated the Fiji 7s Men’s side for winning the gold medal in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, calling it a tremendous achievement.