A sports fanatic, Adrian Mutu has lashed out to the National Selection and Justification Committee (NSJC) for the Pacific Games, saying they should not expect so much from athletes since they have not helped in putting in place proper and upgraded facilities for athletes to train in for the Games.
The NSJC recently revealed that they expect Team Solomon for this coming Pacific Games to win a target of 30 medals.
But Mutu said, this expectation comes as a joke to many people since the government along with the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) has done little in providing better sporting facilities for sports federations to train and prepare for the Games.
“Why would they expect such a turn out from our poor athletes who have tried their very best to get prepared in such poor sporting facilities.
“For sure the athletes will put in their very best and try to hit that target but they will be doing it without the help of the Government and NOCSI, that’s sad.
“Yet many from the public criticize our athletes calling them tourists in Pacific Games because of their poor performances, little did they know how these athletes have struggled to train in such poor sporting facilities and are expected to win medals just because the responsible authorities told them so,” he said.
He added it is time the NSJC, NOCSI and the Government seriously look into this matter and have it addressed.
“Build proper sports facilities and athletes will win more medals the country has ever won in any Pacific Games,” he said.
Solomon Islands is aiming to send at least 300 athletes plus officials to the Pacific Games in July.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
