The Department of Youth and Sports office in the Northern Divisional will carry out an audit of all youth clubs there in the second half of the year.
Speaking to Votua villagers in Lekutu, Bua last week, divisional youth officer Amele Navunicagi said the Department of Youth and Sports office served 166 youth clubs in the Northern Division.
“These include Provincial Youth Clubs of which 34 are in Bua, 56 in Cakaudrove and 56 as well in Macuata,” Mrs Navunicagi said.
“For district youth clubs, we have 13 in Labasa and seven in Rabi.”
She said these only included youth clubs still active in community work and development.
“In fact, we have close to 1000 youth clubs registered in the Northern Division and on paper, every village has a youth council or group but there is a need to determine whether they are still actively participating in their community’s development or not,” Mrs Navunicagi said.
“The audit therefore will check on their status with the objective of reviving inactive youth clubs and revitilising their ability to contribute meaningfully to the development of their own communities.”
Access to youth and sports development programs offered by the department is easier for those who registered their groups and clubs with the divisional offices.
“In terms of implementation of our programs, we stress the need to be a registered youth club and being part of one as it better facilitates the monitoring of the sustainability and the effectiveness of our activities and government’s investments,” Mrs Navunicagi said.
“These youth clubs and schools participate in our capacity building activities, rural youth training programs, Duke of Edinburgh Awards Program and of course our annual National Youth Day.”
-ENDS-