NADI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY’S PLEA
THE Fiji 7s team is racing against time to get some quality opposition in its preparation for the Olympic Games in Tokyo .
But the onus is on the team management to utilise the best local 7s tournaments, say Paradise Beverages general manager sales and corporate affairs Joe Rodan.
Rodan said this was the best way the Fiji 7s team could get the help it needed.
Now with only a few months away to the Games, Paradise Beverages is not only focused on helping our local communities but they also want to make sure our national 7s team is also assisted.
“We are trying to implement with 7s organisers the importance of running the tournament at a higher standard so that it matches how the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series are run,” the former national track representative said.
“With the Olympic Games this year it is our duty to support our 7s hopefuls who will be taking us to Tokyo.”
He said their contribution to local 7s tournaments was not only financially but also in supporting grassroots tournaments such as the Malomalo 7s where national players could take part in.
“Local tournaments where Fiji Bitter sponsor, such as Malomalo 7s is an ideal place to unearth new players for future national duties,” he said.
“Take for example the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s where Jerry Tuwai was considered for selection and he has been good.”
Fiji Bitter will for the first time sponsor the Malomalo 7s tournament to be held on Friday and Saturday this week at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.
Last week the Tonga and Samoa Invitational sides took part in the men’s tournament along with two All Blacks 7s teams.
New Zealand Rugby High performance 7s manager, Tony Philp, said with international borders closed it was pleasing to be able to create a high level of competition.
“We are lucky to have really talented 7s players in our country so putting together a tournament like this is key for Olympic preparation,” he told RNZ.