The Fiji International has joined forces with Smart Lab Fiji to offer free health checks at the upcoming golf tournament to be held at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 6-9 October.
Spectators who attend the Fiji International this year will be able to take advantage of the free health checks for Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, and Glucose by Smart Lab Fiji.
“This is a great initiative by everyone involved and uses the Fiji International and golf to address and create awareness on issues such as NCD’s like diabetes,” said the Honourable Faiyaz Koya, Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Lands and Mineral Resources.
“Golf is the perfect platform to promote healthy living and life-style changes because it is a sport that can be played by everyone, irrespective of age, gender or background. Healthy living and healthy life-styles are important components to our tourism industry and the niche segments we market to our international visitors, such as Sports and Adventure Tourism. I encourage both our locals and international visitors to go out and engage in more physical activities like golf, nature walks, sky-diving and surfing which are just some of the many products available right here in Fiji,” added the Hon. Faiyaz Koya.
This partnership between the Fiji International and Smart Lab and is very much welcomed by the Ministry of Health,” said the Honourable Jone Usamate, Minister for Health and Medical Services.
“Any initiative that will assist in providing health checks for the general public is a plus for Fiji. I truly hope the people of Fiji take advantage of this opportunity and make their way down to the Fiji International from 6-9 October. Early detection of any health issues is important given the growing trends in non-communicable diseases from life-style choices. Golf is an effective way to promote physical activity and sports as a measure to curve the effects of NCD’s and we look forward to more initiatives like this with the Fiji International,” added Mr Usamate.
“Health and sport are directly linked and I am very happy to see that the Fiji International is inviting local sports lovers to watch some of the world’s best professional golfers and get their health levels checked at the same time. The Fiji International is ticking a lot of boxes domestically. We have seen their School Golf Program grow from year to year reaching over 2,500 primary school students, as well as the start of the “Give Golf a Go” Road Show which is going to be in Pacific Harbour and Navua this weekend,” said the Honourable Laisenia Tuitubou, Minister of Youth and Sports.
“Developing the sport domestically is very important to sustainability and this is exactly what the Fiji International team has been working hard on. To now add the health initiatives to the tournament is a brilliant idea and I would like to commend everyone involved for their efforts here,” said, Mr Tuitubou.
“It is indeed an honour for Smart Lab Fiji to be a part of the Fiji International this year. Our goal is to bring health issues to the attention of the people of Fiji and what better environment to do this than at the Fiji International, a world-class, professional golf tournament which is our nations’ biggest sporting event of the year,” said Ashok Muni, Director of Smart Lab Fiji.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers of the Fiji International and the Honourable Ministers for their support of addressing health issues in Fiji,” added Mr Muni.
The Fiji International aims to be more than just a golf tournament, it aims to leave a lasting legacy in Fiji, and the health checks are the latest initiative in achieving this goal.
“The aim of the Fiji International was to place Fiji on the lucrative international golf tourism map,” said Natalie Ritter, General Manager – Tournament Operations for the PGA of Australia.
“Our aim is for the Fiji International to be more than just a golf tournament; we want to leave a lasting legacy of golf in Fiji which we are achieving through our School Golf Program and “Give Golf a Go” Road Show.”
“The health checks are a great way for the Fiji International to help the Fijian community. We hope everyone comes along to support the tournament but also takes advantage of these services to support their health,” add Ms Ritter.
The Fiji International will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 6-9 October.
About the Fiji International
The Fiji international will be played at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 6-9 October for AU$1.5 million in prizemoney with tickets on sale at the gate and online.
Enticed by the tropical destination, World Number 24 Brandt Snedeker will headline a field which also stars Fijian hero and three times Major champion Vijay Singh.
This year, The Fiji International expands its global presence and confirms its position as an integral tournament in the South Pacific region, with the tournament being co-sanctioned by the European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
A pacific paradise, the Fiji International also boasts some of the most unique hospitality options in the world golf with the par- 34th hole providing the perfect vantage point to watch the golf, whilst socialising on the beach.
More than just a golf tournament, the Fiji International aims to leave a lasting legacy for golf in the Pacific region, with the PGA of Australia supporting initiatives to introduce and grow the game in Fiji.
The Fiji International is proudly supported by the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa as the official resort of the tournament until 2017.