Minister for Youth & Sports, Viliame Naupoto says expectations are high for an increase in budget allocations in 2013 to assist the sporting fraternity.
The national budget announcement is this afternoon and Naupoto says his reasons for expecting more is due to a busy international sporting calendar in 2013.
“We have two World Cups. Seven-a-side rugby, rugby league and then there is the Netball Youth Championship in Scotland. The Pacific Mini Games also next year so we had asked for an increase so that we can assist these teams to go across.”
Naupoto adds that while the ministry has guaranteed putting money aside to assist such events, the sports federations will be seeking their own sponsorship to secure majority of the funds needed.
This year’s budget allocation for sports amounted to just under $600,000.
