The Fiji National Sports Commission had hinted about the possibility of pay cuts for expatriate coaches who are employed in pockets of Fijian sports.
Commission chairman Peter Mazey said the FNSC had reset its strategic plans because of the COVID-19 pandemic which had caused Fijian and global economic shambles.
“The funding from Government for international coaches was reduced by a substantial amount,” Mazey said.
“As such, the commission’s contribution to relevant national sports organisation’s regarding salary payments for internationally qualified coaches will reduce drastically.”
He said since the employment contracts of expatriate coaches were between the coaches and their national sports organisations, it became prudent for the NSOs to contribute towards their appointed coaches.
“We are definitely reducing the commission’s contribution, however, it will entirely be upon the NSOs whether to effect a salary cut or otherwise.”
He said the commission was content with the allocated funding from Government during this challenging time.
“We are happy with the funding considering the current situation with COVID-19 in the country. Something is better than nothing, so we have to reset our focus and future plans regarding sports activities in the country including the importance of capital projects that needs to be undertaken or deferred.”
The commission was granted $4.1 million for the current financial year, which was inclusive of $1m for payment to internationally qualified coaches.
Meanwhile, some qualified expatriate coaches, who are likely to be affected include Fiji 7s coach Gareth Baber, Fiji Football Association head coach and Denmark’s Flemming Serristlev and Australian Jenny Brazel, who was appointed as the national netball coach.
