2 September, 2009
As of today, Fiji has been fully suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations. The statement issued from the Commonwealth Secretariat has reportedly said that, amongst other things, Fiji will not be allowed to take part in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
I am not sure where the Commonwealth Secretariat is coming from or whether they have the authority to make such a statement. I have written to the Commonwealth Games Federation President (based in London) to seek clarification on the statement.
For the record let me explain that the Commonwealth Games Federation is a sports organisation made up of 71 Commonwealth Games Associations from countries which were or are members of the British Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Games Federation is separate from the Commonwealth Secretariat and does not receive funding from the Commonwealth Secretariat. The Commonwealth Games Federation is governed by its own Charter, Regulations and Protocols.
Article 2.1 of the CGF Charter reads: “…the Games shall be open to eligible competitors representing an affiliated Commonwealth Games Association.”
FASANOC is an affiliated member of the CGF.
Article 3 states: “the CGF is the supreme authority in all matters concerning the Commonwealth Games. Responsibility is vested in the Federation for the direction, policy and control of the Commonwealth Games and such other events and activities organised.”
Article 7 states: “For the Commonwealth Games and generally in respect of all activities of the Federation and events under its control, there shall be no discrimination against any country or person on any grounds whatsoever, including race, colour, gender, religion and politics.”
If, as it is reported, the Commonwealth Secretariat is saying that Fiji will not be allowed to take part in the 2010 Delhi Games, then that is a case of politics interfering in sports. The Commonwealth Games Federation should, in accordance with its own Rules and Regulations, just ignore it.
In addition to this, FASANOC has submitted some amendments to the CGF Charter which once approved will give added strength to the CGF in its administration and at the same time maintain its autonomy and sovereignty. These amendments will be discussed at our General Assembly being held in Delhi next month (October).
On these grounds, we are continuing to operate under the assumption that Fiji will be participating in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Vidhya Lakhan
President, FASANOC
Website Editor