During the opening ceremony we had the pleasure of speaking to one of the three general managers of team Fiji, Ratu Inoke Qionitoba Veresa. He informed us that there are 207 members in team Fiji and their athletes are participating in all of the 15 sporting codes.
Team Fiji has the support of their government, sporting federations and FASANOC who each paid a third of the athletes’ and officials’ expenses in order to attend the Pacific Mini Games 2009 here in Rarotonga. 
FASANOC (Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee) is reprsented by Atmah Maharaj who is the secretary general, and has been assisting Cook Islands in preparation of the games. Also present in the Cook Islands are executive members Vivienne Blake, Patrick Bower, Chris Yee and Dr Robyn Mitchell.
The chef de mission for team Fiji is Patrick Bower and the other two general managers are Vivienne Blake and Rusiate Ratakele.
There are 16 section managers to assist in each 15 sporting codes with golf having two section managers.
“We have outstanding individuals in the athletics events and this is mainly due to the hard work and dedication that these athletes have put into their sport. In previous games, Fiji has excelled in this area and has won a lot of gold medals; we hope that we can do the same in the PMG09.
“We have young enthusiastic golfers in our team Fiji who have been training for a couple of years in Nadi. The youngest is aged 18.
“We have a young table tennis team who are sharp and ready to compete. 
“Our rugby 7s team are coming next week and 90% of the members have played IRB so we have high expectations of the fully fledged 7s team
“Our rugby league team is ranked fourth in the world. Most of our team members are new players, young and energetic and will be a force to be reckoned with.
“The weightlifting team will also be arriving this week-end and we have athletes in this field who are experienced and well prepared for this event.”
Team Fiji appreciates the hospitality that has been shown to them by the people of the Cook Islands and the Fijian community here. Everyone has been so helpful and a special thank you to the Arorangi community for the beautiful place where the team is staying.
They were amazed at the excellent service of the catering team at Calvary Hall. You could see that the people were tired and had been working hard, but the desire to ensure that the team’s needs were taken care of, that was their priority. 
“We have a purpose for coming here to the games - that was to meet our brothers and sisters in the Pacific, to build up relationships that can endure and to participate in the competition which we have prepared our mind, soul and heart to be a part of.”
Ratu Veresa said he was was overwhelmed with the opening ceremony; the special moment for him was when the children came to present gifts to each nation. It showed him that the Cook Islands is a nation that values their children, allowing the children to be part of a special occasion. It shows the world that Cook Islands places a special value on the family unit, they have extended their love to us, the Fiji team, for which we are very thankful.
“The message from Bishop Pere was just outstanding. We are running this race and then after that … the family life was strongly portrayed and God in the midst of the heart of the people showed us that this nation is a nation that is family focused, with abundance of love and care not just for themselves but also for us, team Fiji.
“Cook Islands, you are heading in the right direction and we pray that we can all go in that direction as well, focusing on God and family life.”