Council to ensure all criteria are met

Churchill Park in Lautoka was closed yesterday as preparation works started on the hosting of the Super Rugby Pacific match between the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and the Chiefs on May 28.

Lautoka City Council chief executive officer Mohammed Anees Khan said they are working hand- in-hand with the Drua management and Super Rugby Pacific officials.

He said they are spending $20,000 on the venue to meet the critieria set by the organisers.

“Churchill Park is closed to all domestic sports right to game day,” said Khan.

“This will be a historic event for the Sugar City as we will host our first Super Rugby match. What makes this more special is that

our own team (Fijian Drua) will be playing in front of their home crowd in the west.”

He indicated an influx of guests, visitors

and tourists to grace the game venue.

“This gives the business community of Lautoka the chance to showcase what the

Sugar City has to offer.

“Lautoka looks forward to market itself to the wider international television audience as a choice of destination for international sporting events.”

Khan thanked the Fijian Drua management for having confidence in them by approving Churchill Park to host a fixture of this magnitude.

“We look forward to work together with them to bring more international rugby matches to Lautoka. We urge all stakeholders to join hands to make this historic event a success.”

Meanwhile, an exciting curtain raiser match is also planned for the day, with details to be announced later in partnership with the Fiji Rugby Union.

Photo: Fijian Drua Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and Flying Fijians assistant coach Glen Jackson talks to the players after their training session in Suva. Jackson, was a former World Rugby Test referee who had played 60 Super Rugby games for the Chiefs.