The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) took the decision yesterday to suspend Fiji's membership after the Commonwealth suspended the country's membership.

Iliesa Tanivula said: "I'm very disappointed and surprised at the decision."

Fiji has won a medal in every event since the sport was introduced to the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, when they won a silver medal.

They also won a silver medal in Manchester in 2002 and the bronze in Melbourne four years later.

The ban on Fiji's athletes was suspended after they were suspended by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group last September following its failure to meet the deadline to come out with a time schedule to hold credible elections in the country no later than October 2010.

Tanivula claimed sporting events should be exempted from political suspension.

He said: "Unfortunately, I guess the decision has been made and we just have to go with that."

Now Fiji will have to concentrate on the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series, which kicks off in Dubai on December 4.


Related stories
October 2009: Fiji given hope that they can still compete in New Delhi 2010
September 2009: Commonwealth Ministers want Fiji banned from New Delhi
September 2009: Fiji rugby chief wants solution to Commonwealth Games row
September 2009: Commonwealth Games still in balance for Fiji
September 2009: Fiji still hopes it can compete in Commonwealth Games