The President of Weightlifting Fiji, Atma Maharaj has refused to make any comments on what Weightlifting Fiji is doing to bring back champion weightlifter, Eileen Cikamatana to represent Fiji in the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games.
This follows comments from the Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports Maritino Nemani that the government will organise a meeting soon to persuade Cikamatana to represent Fiji again.
When we contacted Maharaj in Australia and asked him on whether Weightlifting Fiji is trying to get Cikamatana back, there was no confirmation that attempts are being made to get her to represent Fiji.
Meanwhile, the General Secretary and Spokesperson of Fiji Weightlifters Association based in Levuka, Peni Tawai says according to talks with Eileen Cikamatana two weeks ago, there is very little chance to bring the champion weightlifter to represent Fiji again due to the quality of the sports services provided to her by the Australian Weightlifting Federation.
Tawai says the Australian Weightlifting Federation is treating Cikamatana in a professional and elite manner compared to Fiji which makes it impossible to bring her to represent Fiji again.
Tawai says Weightlifting Fiji has not been doing it’s job since last year and because of their slackness, the people of Fiji and the government are suffering.
When questioned by Legend FM News on Weightlifting Fiji not doing enough to get Cikamatana, Maharaj said he does not recognise any association such as Fiji Weightlifters Association.
Cikamatana who won gold for Fiji in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, decided not to represent Fiji after a dispute with Weightlifting Fiji when they hired an international coach against her wishes and tried to force athletes to return to Fiji to train.
The Fiji born Australian resident Cikamatana recently broke 46 weightlifting records including three world records at the Australian National Junior Weightlifting Championships.
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