Fiji lowers sponsorship threshold to boost sports venue upgrades

Fiji is intensifying efforts to enhance its sporting infrastructure, linking a new initiative to make business investment in local sports easier with long-awaited facility upgrades. Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru announced a reduction in the sponsorship threshold, lowering it from $250,000 to $100,000.

This change is part of a broader strategy to attract more private sector support, particularly for developing and renovating sports facilities. The government is also providing tax exemptions to encourage businesses to invest in sporting infrastructure. These incentives aim to support the renovation of the national stadium and the development of new grounds, including plans for a new stadium in the country's Western region intended for international games.

“

We have a tax exemption for those that want to participate in building sporting facilities. That will be good because we want to renovate the national stadium and have grounds as well. We want to put up a new stadium in the West for international games.

Saukuru highlighted that while Fiji can host major events like the HSBC Sevens, the nation needs to expand its capacity and improve facilities to attract more international fixtures. He believes lowering the sponsorship entry point will draw more businesses into the sports sector, thereby accelerating development projects across Fiji. The goal is to create venues capable of hosting a wider range of international competitions.

“

At the moment, we can host international events like the HSBC Sevens. But now, no other major games are being played in Fiji because of that. We would really love to have a bigger stadium somewhere in the West.