The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) was founded on 25 March 1949 and achieved International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognition on 20 September 1955. It is responsible for entering Fiji's representatives in the Olympic Games and the coordination and management of Fiji Teams to the South Pacific Mini Games, South Pacific Games and the Commonwealth Games. It also provides technical assistance and funding to its affiliates in the areas of coaching, athlete development, sports medicine and sports administration. Membership 22 National Sports Federations are affiliated to FASANOC's Olympic Program: Alpine skiing Archery Athletics Badminton Baseball Basketball Boxing Cycling Football Golf Hockey Judo Rugby Shooting Swimming Table tennis Taekwondo Tennis Triathlon Volleyball Weightlifting Yachting Affiliated International Federations recognised by the IOC but whose sport is not on the Games programme include: Billiards & Snooker Bodybuilding Chess Karate Netball Squash Surfing Other National Federations affiliated to FASANOC are: Bowls Cricket Darts FUSA Gamefishing Outrigger canoeing Paralympic Powerlifting Touch rugby Rugby league FASANOC itself is affiliated to the International Olympic Committee, is a member of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC), the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Pacific Games Council. Finance FASANOC finances its activities via a number of sources. The Fiji Government does not assist FASANOC financially towards its administrative expenses, but does assist towards Team Fiji's preparation and participation costs. It also provides financial assistance to its affiliates for overseas tours, the training of elite athletes in preparation for international events and meets, the hiring of coaches and Development Officers, and international tournaments hosted in Fiji. Participation in regional games FASANOC has coordinated the participation of Fiji athletes in the Empire / Commonwealth Games (since 1950), the Olympic Games (since 1956), the South Pacific Games (since 1963), and the South Pacific Mini Games (since 1981). Fiji participated in the Empire or Commonwealth Games every four years from 1950 to 1986 before being suspended from the Commonwealth. Readmitted in 1997, Fiji participated in Malaysia in September 1998 and the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth a second time in 2006, leading to a suspension from the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Games after 2006. FASANOC has coordinated the participation of Fiji's athletes in the South Pacific Games since the inaugural event held in Suva in 1963, and the Mini South Pacific Games first held in Honiara, Solomon Islands in