Nearly 150 people are now more informed about the dangers of conditions that are non-infectious or non-transmissible, as well as anti-doping measures and the "go green" environmental programme. 

It comes after work by some of Fiji's elite athletes, who aid the scheme by serving as FASANOC's "STOP champions".

Led by coordinator Jeegar Bhasvar, the 2016 champions led an awareness event at the Marist Hockey Tournament.

Bhasvar said the best way to get their message across was to use athletes as a method of engaging other sport stars.

"Our champions are athletes that have represented the country and are passionate about healthy living and better lifestyles that benefit other people," said Bhasvar.

"The champions were confident in getting their message across and the people were more at ease with them.

"The response from the athletes and supporters to our STOP champions has been great and now we can collate the information gathered to determine how well they know HIV/AIDS and NCDs, and how it can be harmful to them."

Fiji's hockey representatives Hector Smith, Tessa Herman and Tailah Ah Yuk, along with cricketer Joana Lesi, footballers Laisani Mataele and Kinisimere Ravai and bodybuilder Isimeli Waqabaca, were on hand at the hockey tournament.

Waqabaca said it was his second Marist event, and he is happy with how people responded to their efforts.

"Most of the athletes we were able to talk to last year and this year brought friends along with them," said Waqabaca.

"This basically tells me that we are doing something right if people are coming back with friends to hear what STOP is all about."