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16th April 2005
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Should they be mixed?
One of the key sanctions NZ imposed against the military regime of Fiji is restrictions on travel for Fijians with links to the military. This means officials, and more frequently, sports people can be denied visas.
Earlier this year, the goalkeeper for the Fijian soccer team was denied a visa*, and the team couldn't play their World Cup qualifying match against NZ. Then, a netballer** was denied entry during the Netball World Champs.
Just today, the Fiji Sun has reported that the entire Rugby Sevens team*** has been denied a transit visa to travel through NZ on the way to Dubai.
Sport is huge for Fiji. In a nation with deep ethnic tensions, it is one of the strongest unifying forces in the country. So the impact is pretty big:
The idea of course being to increase public opposition and discredit the regime.
Is this a good policy? Or are these sports people just being exploited for political gain?
*His father-in-law was a high ranking comander **Her husband was a military officer ***The link hasn't been established yet, but may be in retribution for a NZ-Fiji millionaire beaten by Fiji police and in custody following a supposed coup plot.
565,312 XP
28th July 2002
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I don't think that they should deny sports players visa because they don't agree with the politics of the country they are from, thats just stupid
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16th April 2005
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Well, in the case of the netball and soccer teams, the entire team was allowed in, with the exception of those members which had links to the military government.
The NZ government is not fond of coups and military takeovers in the South Pacific.
I think they should allow the sports person for the Visas. Sports are nothing to do with the politics and these should not be mixed up at all. I am not in the favour of Banning the players to any country.:smokin:
298,353 XP
26th May 2003
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If they'd allow non-sports people into the country who have those connection then they should allow the sports people in, if they wouldn't then they shouldn't. Sports shouldn't be a deciding factor in the decision one way or another, and in that sense sports and politics should be kept apart.
I agree that sports and politics should not mix, it makes alot of citizens angry
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16th April 2005
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nanobot_swarm;4049472I agree that sports and politics should not mix, it makes alot of citizens angry
That's the point...
I think mixed them is another thing that will happen and keep happening [or has it already for some major sports?]. Personally I don't see anything bad about it.