Many people are asking the government to give more support and incentives to athletes who represent Vanuatu in sports competitions overseas.

This topic came up on VBTC’s Tok Bak Show this week. Callers said the government should treat athletes like workers, because many of them depend on sports to earn a living.

“The government should pay athletes. If they do, people will start to see sports as a real job,” one caller said.

Another said, “If athletes are on the government list, they should be paid every two weeks like other workers.”

VBTC Sports also spoke with Sawia Steven Noel, Secretary of the Vanuatu Boxing Association, who said the government should think about giving support not just to athletes but also to their families.

The Vanuatu Judo Team, who just came back from the Palau Mini Games, also said they support the idea of giving athletes small allowances to help them in their journey. They said this will motivate young people and help them take sports seriously.

“If a young person wants to take part in sports, the government should help them with some allowance. That way, they can treat it like a job,” one official said.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports needs to do more.”

Jerol Arnambath, Director of the Department of Sports, spoke at the airport when the Vanuatu team returned from Palau. He said the government is now planning for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti, and working closely with Japan and China to prepare — just like they did for VAN2017 Mini Games.

In past games, the government has given rewards to athletes who win medals. But so far, there is no official word on whether Vanuatu athletes who won medals in Palau will receive any reward or bonus.

Many people still believe that the government should show more appreciation to athletes, especially those who have been working hard since the 2017 Games and are still proudly representing the country.