FASANOC has expressed its deepest condolences to the family of Paul Yee, a former vice-president who passed away yesterday ©FASANOC

Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) has expressed its deepest condolences to the family of Paul Yee, a former vice-president of FASANOC who passed away yesterday.

Yee, who served a two-year term as vice-president until March 2015, died in Fiji’s capital Suva following a short illness.

FASANOC and Athletics Fiji President Joseph Rodan said the death of Yee, executive chairman of the Fiji Sports Council from 2007 to 2009, came as a shock to him.

"Three weeks ago, we heard he was sick when he didn’t turn up for a meeting, but we didn’t know it was this serious," he told the Fiji Sun.

"I was shocked when I heard about his passing after church and just couldn’t believe it."

Yee has been heavily involved in athletics since the 1970s, but his work with Team Fiji began in 1989 when he served as athletics section manager at that year’s South Pacific Mini Games in Tonga’s capital Nuku'alofa, continuing in the role through to 2014. 

He also acted as section manager for Team Fiji Athletics at the 1991 South Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea’s capital Port Moresby, and the 1993 South Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila.

Additionally, Yee was Team Fiji’s general manager for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England and section manager for last year’s edition in Glasgow, Scotland.

Paul Yee was Team Fiji's section manager at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
Paul Yee was Team Fiji's section manager at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images

"We are very sad that Paul has passed away because he has made valuable contribution to sports in Fiji," added Rodan.

"As far as athletics is concerned, he has always supported athletics in Fiji, and Fiji has lost a great son as he has been an active official, coach and supporter of sports in Fiji.

"Paul was very unselfish; he would always give his time and knowledge when needed by anyone when it came to sports.

"This is just such a great loss to Athletics Fiji."

FASANOC has paid respects to Yee’s wife Susie, the current chairperson of its Women in Sport Commission, and her family at their residence in Suva.

A funeral service is scheduled to take place on Thursday (October 8) at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva.



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