Taniela: No longer forgotten in 7s
FMF backs Nukuvuto Series and Victorian 7s
The Suva, Lautoka to Rakiraki corridor is known for sevens rugby activities while Northland (Tailevu North) is often forgotten.
This is soon going to be a thing of the past after the Flour Mills of Fiji Foods Limited (FMF) signed a three-year deal yesterday for a series of sevens rugby tournaments fo the Nukuvuto Zone.
FMF operations manager Jimi Taniela said this was nothing new for the company.
“We’ve started supporting rugby from the village teams and right up to the Flying Fijians, where at one stage we were the major sponsor,” he said.
“FMF is honoured to support the Nukuvuto sevens series in an area, which is virtually untouched. It’s our corporate social responsibility as we want people living there to develop their living standards through rugby.”
Nukuvuto Zone chairman Samuela Murica said they are grateful to the FMF sponsorship and it’s going to have a big impact on their young men and women.
“The Nukuvuto Zone is from Namena to Burewai and between is about 26 villages,” Murica said.
“We’re affiliated to the Northland Rugby Union. The sponsorship has given our young men and women something new to look forward too apart from farming.
“At least now they are occupied with training after farming in their respective villages as they look forward to playing in the series.
‘But moreover they promote healthy living as well.”
Murica said they are hoping to run their series from August to October.
FMF marketing manager Amrita Priyadarshani said they are also working in developing the Natovi Park.
“It will be known as the FMF Natovi Park and the first of the series
tournament will be played there,” she added.
Chief opens tournament
Meanwhile, the Turaga Na Ka Levu, Ratu Tevita Makutu, will officially open the FMF Victorian 7s tournament at the Nukuvuto,Queen Victoria School on May 1.
This was revealed when Flour Mills of Fiji Foods Limited stepped in to sponsor the tournament.
The funds collected from the tournament will be directed to the construction of a multi-purpose hall at Vulinitu.
The tournament is organised by the Tailevu North branch of the Queen Victoria School Old Boys
Association.
Tournament official, Koroibulu Roqica said, they had been planning it from last year where a multi-purpose hall could be used by young people for development purposes.
Taniela, said they are proud of backing a tournament where proceeds would be directed for a worthy cause.
Roqica said they are hoping to accommodate 32 men’s teams and eight women’s teams for the tournament.
“The last tournament we had was in 2015 but now we want to make it an annual event,” he added