Vidya Lakhan, the President of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC), said a decision on the country's participation was expected soon after they appealed against their expulsion to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

He said: "They [CAS] were supposed to have made their ruling on March 23 and I believe the decision will be passed on to us sometime this week or early next week."

Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth in September when military ruler Frank Bainimarama, who seized power in a 2006 coup, refused to bow to demands to hold elections next year.

Lakhan has never given up hope that Fiji can be allowed to compete in the Games, which are due to open in the Indian capital on October 3, despite being banned from the Commonwealth.

He said: "Right now we urge all our sporting bodies to continue with their training and just hope for the best."

Boxing, table tennis, netball and athletics have all continued with their preparations for the Games.

Lakhan said: "They need to keep up with their training because it will be helpful if the green light is given for the trip to India."


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