BY JARED KOLI

The President of the Oceania Olympic Committees (ONOC) Dr Robin Mitchell and Pacific Games Council (PGC) president Vidhya Lakhan legacy on sports is something that is certain to live on.

Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) President Makarita Lenoa echoed this statement at a morning tea on Thursday October 15 2020 to celebrate them receiving Fiji’s 50th Anniversary commemorative medals.

Both Dr Mitchell and Mr Lakhan have served over four decades in sports administration in Fiji and in the Oceania region, and now also life members of FASANOC.

“We are standing on the shoulders of those who were here in passing on before us. It is our duty to them to make sure their effort, their hard work, their commitment and dedication is not only something we talk about but is something that we live,” Ms Lenoa said.

She said she is always guided by these two sports leaders and appreciates all that they have done and continues to do.

“FASANOC has values, and those values are to be lived in each and everyone of us, as we have seen and heard from Lakhan and Dr Mitchel this morning. Together we will keep FASANOC moving and stronger together we will keep going and keep raising the Olympic flag and the Fiji flag high in our beloved country,” said Ms Lenoa.

Dr Mitchell has served sports nationally and internationally for more than four decades in various capacities as an athlete in Athletics and Hockey, a national Hockey coach, a Team Doctor and Team Management to the South Pacific Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games.

As a Sports Administrator he has served as President of the Fiji Hockey Federation from 2005 to 2020, Secretary General of FASANOC from 1987 to 1996, President of FASANOC from 1997 to 2005, Secretary General of ONOC from 1993 to 2009, President of ONOC 1993 to 2020, and is currently an executive member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“Basically, the message is, if you are involved in sports and an opportunity arises to represent your country then go for it, and do the best that you can.  In doing so, always remember your beginnings and where you’ve come from,” Dr Mitchell said.

Coming this far, Dr Mitchell said its motivation that keeps him going.

Mr Lakhan also served in sports administration before Fiji became an independent nation from Great Britain in 1970. He was the secretary of the Pacific Games Council from 1996 to 2003 and now its current president.

“I am motivated by the fact that what I do benefits others, the fruit of my labor benefits a wider group and that’s why I keep doing it. Nation building comes from the sort of roles we play and the enthusiasm we put in it

“You must have a period of time, whatever you want to accomplish whatever you want to do. I am grateful to FASANOC and also grateful to Pacific Games Council for giving me the opportunity to do what I’m able to do and for being part of their journey,” Mr Lakhan explained.

The Oceania sport leaders were bestowed Fiji’s 50th independence commemorative medal by President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency Major-General (Ret'd) Jioji Konusi Konrote as part of Fiji Day celebrations last week.