Minister for Sports Jesse Jeremiah has announced a major investment in the future of Nauruan sport with a groundbreaking initiative to inspire the next generation of athletes.
Mr Jeremiah said the new Coaches and Athletes Special Allowance (CASA) would provide structured financial support to reward hard work, commitment, and excellence.
“Nauru has produced champions who have lifted our flag at the Micronesian games, Pacific Games, Commonwealth Games, and on the world and Olympic stages,” he said.
“Behind every medal and every record are coaches and athletes who give their all — often with limited resources but unlimited dedication.
“In formally recognising and supporting the dedication of our coaches and athletes, we’re helping to nurture Nauru’s ambition of producing future generations of champions.”
President David Adeang said the initiative reflected the Nauruan government’s vision for a strong, sustainable, and world-class sports system.
However he said the government’s investment in sport served a greater purpose for the future of Nauru.
“When we speak of our future as a nation we often speak of economic initiatives and financial prosperity, and our government has of course been very strong in that area.
“But we also care about developing a healthy nation, and owe this to our children and to future generations.
He believes programs like CASA will encourage more Nauruans to take up sport.
“While sport brings us great national pride, participation in physical exercise and the discipline that comes with that is an important factor in changing lifestyles and reducing noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes,” he explained.
The President said he was pleased to see Nauru sending a record number of athletes to recent regional sporting competitions, and “this initiative will inspire the next generation of athletes.”
CASA has been designed to operate under clear policies, contracts, and codes of conduct, and encourages discipline, motivation, and accountability as the pathway to success for Nauruan athletes.
As the next host of the Micronesia Games, Nauru has already embarked upon a sports modernisation program which will deliver a new sports stadium.
According to the President, the stadium – together with new training fields, athlete housing, and improved transport – “will help build a lasting legacy for Nauru.”
“We are building infrastructure which will improve our performance, but more importantly, the government’s investments and priorities are building people.”