27 Feb 2016

Sports facilities in Fiji to reopen after Winston

2:29 pm on 27 February 2016

A number of sporting facilities will reopen in Fiji today after being assessed for damage from Cyclone Winston.

ANZ Stadium in Suva.

ANZ Stadium in Suva. Photo: Fiji Sports Council

The Fiji Sports Council closed all of its 19 facilities during the week, including ANZ Stadium, Vodafone Arena and the the National Hockey Centre.

The Council says it closed the venues as a precautionary measure to assess any damages caused by the cyclone and to ensure a thorough clean up and safety measures were completed.

The Council says most of the facilities received some form of damage but nothing detrimental.

The cost of repairs is being covered under the Council's normal maintenance budget.

A spokesperson says the impact on the sporting community is minimal compared to the overall devastation caused to homes and families around Fiji.

Most sporting bodies and their affiliated clubs focus has been on volunteering to help with clean-ups around the country and donating relief supplies to those most in need.

All but one or two of the council-run venues will reopen today, with the remainder to follow by Monday week at the latest.

Meanwhile the Fiji Sports Council confirmed major upcoming events including next month's Pacific Rugby Challenge and the Oceania Weightlifting and Swimming Championships will go ahead as planned.