Tkatchenko criticises Fiji’s cricket withdrawal

 SPORTS Minister Justin Tkatchenko has criticised the Fiji Cricket Association for pulling its men’s side out of the Pacific Games in July.

Tkatchenko said it was not a sporting move to opt out of the Games.

“The Pacific Games cricket competition will go on with or without Fiji’s involvement, but I have to say I’m disappointed they chose not to attend,” Tkatchenko said. “Their reasons are valid but this is the region’s biggest multi-sport event and I find it hard to believe they don’t want to be part of it.”

Tkatchenko challenged the Fiji Cricket Association to reconsider their decision and enter the competition.

“They said they didn’t see the need to send a team since the hosts would not be putting their best side in but I want to challenge Fiji cricket to send their side and see if they can beat the PNG A team.”

Fiji Cricket chief executive Inoke Lesuma said last week their men’s team would not take part in the Games because they did not have enough funding to cover their participation at the Port Moresby Games and an International Cricket Council World tournament — the World Cricket League — which they needed to play in to improve their world ranking and be eligible for ICC funding. Fiji is ranked 38th in the world while PNG is ranked 16.

Lesuma said the fact that the Games hosts would not be putting their top side the Barramundis was another factor in the decision to pull out.