NADI, (INSIDE THE GAMES) – Representatives from Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) member nations are arriving in Nadi as the continental organisation prepares to stage its Annual General Assembly.
The General Assembly is scheduled to take place in Fiji on April 1, with a packed series of workshops and Commission meetings held in the build-up.
Today will see a Regional Olympic Forum take place with the focus on Olympic Solidarity, with ONOC President Robin Mitchell stating earlier this month that the Pacific region would benefit from a 14 per cent increase in payments.
Delegates are also set to be treated to a traditional welcome ceremony.
Every National Olympic Committee (NOC) from the region will have one-on-one meetings as part of the Forum on Thursday (March 30).
It will coincide with the Olympic Sports Federations of Oceania Executive Board meeting and an NOC Open Forum.
This Forum will see a presentation by ticket re-seller Cartan, as well as discussions on training camps in Japan.
Participation in future editions of the Asian Games will also be on the agenda, after Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah claimed they would be willing to consider allowing all Oceania athletes the chance to feature at the showpiece continental event from 2022.
Sheikh Ahmad raised the prospect at last month’s Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, where Australia and New Zealand participated as guests.
The issue is expected to be discussed further by representatives from both continents at September____s OCA General Assembly in Ashgabat, but this week’s meeting could gauge the ONOC response.
Updates will also be provided on the progress of both the Vanuatu 2017 Pacific Mini Games and the Tonga 2019 Pacific Games, with presentations due to be made on March 31.
Oceania Hockey and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Oceania are among the regional parts of International Federations who will also hold meetings this week.
The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee will be hosting their Hall of Fame dinner on March 31.
New Zealand____s Barbara Kendall, an International Olympic Committee member, will be the guest speaker at the ceremony.
Following the General Assembly on April 1, the Oceania Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (ORADO) will hold a Board meeting the next day.
The Oceania Paralympic Committee will then hold their General Assembly.
