New Delhi:
The Commonwealth Games Federation on Monday suspended Fiji's membership, ruling it out of the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be staged in New Delhi.
"Consequent to Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth, its membership of the Commonwealth Games Federation has also been suspended," CGF president Michael Fennell said after the CGF general assembly in New Delhi.
The Commonwealth suspended Fiji last month after it failed to meet certain conditions of membership, including holding early democratic elections.
Fennell said the CGF would make a representation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that sport not be included in the sanctions imposed on Fiji.
"Among the CGF members, there's great sympathy for the plight of Fijian athletes who are aspiring to compete in New Delhi," said Fennell.
"Sport and sporting events should be exempted from political suspension," he said.
Fennell said the CGF would approach the Commonwealth Secretary-General with a recommendation "that sport be removed from the sanction imposed upon a nation suspended from the Commonwealth."
Fennell said such an exemption could provide Fiji's athletes an opportunity to participate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which are scheduled for Octöber 3-14.
The Commonwealth Games feature 71 nations and territories that were linked to the former British Empire.