Stage set for top 7s teams
THE Burebasaga 7s tournament is expected to feature some of the top teams in the country today.
Tournament director Jone Turaganiqali said teams such as Blue Diamond, Kombat Uluinakau and Wardens were expected to provide tough competitions to the other teams.
“Since this is an inaugural tournament we expect a tough competition from all the teams,” he said.
“It has been after eight years that we hosted another 7s tournament. Another reason for having this tournament is to complete the Burebasaga District School building. It has been 95 per cent completed so we are just finishing it off.
“Another objective of hosting this tournament is during the festive season most of the youths were indulging in kava drinking and merrymaking so we thought of having a tournament that will attract them to focus on their fitness and stay away from things that will not help them.”
He added one of the challenges that they faced were no financial sponsorship and it was through the registration fees that helped them run the tournament.
“He said when they postponed their tournament from last month due to STC Yasa it had an impact on the organisation and the teams because they had to rest for days until they finally confirmed a date.
“Now that we have hosted we will try to expose as much talents as we can.
“We have teams like Belo Vula Young boys all the way from Toga Village, Naqalimare in Nadroga.
“We also have the Navatuvula Samurai consist of players who are 16 years of age. That’s why we had the under 20s competition first so that we can identify this young talents and groom them,” Turaganiqali said.
Today top teams battle it out for the $600 prizemoney.