Vanua Championship set to kick off
THE Vodafone Vanua Championship was officially launched at Albert Park in Suva yesterday.
Vodafone Fiji Ltd head of recharge and distribution Nilesh Singh said the company pridedd itself in supporting grassroots rugby.
“For Vodafone, this is all about giving back to the community and the vanua.
“We see this as a good platform to lay our foundation because it is from these types of competitions where we will get the next Joseva Tamani and play for the Fijian Drua,” he said.
Singh says Vodafone Fiji acts as an enabler to aid these types of events where new talents are unearthed.
“The last two years has been tough for everyone, and as a nation we have turned the situation around into positives.
“We have seen the changes and now we are moving into a new direction through sports,” he said.
Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O’Connor thanked Vodafone for supporting the FRU in every aspect of the sport.
“I just want to thank and acknowledge Vodafone for the support.
“Players like Napolioni Bolaca who we spotted playing for Yasawa in a Vanua Championship game in Nausori. We drafted him into 7s and now he is part of the Drua, and Kalione Nasoko who went through the same journey,” he said.
“Without the support from Vodafone, all these opportunities would not have happened.
“This is grassroots rugby and that is where talents come from.”
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua loose forward Joseva Tamani played in the Vodafone Vanua Championship in 2020 featuring for Ovalau and is making a name for himself by setting Super Rugby Pacific alight with his barnstorming runs and mesmerising off-loads.
O’Connor also added that in the past five years, Vodafone had immensely aided in providing a platform for rugby throughout the nation.
“Vodafone does not only sponsor our big competitions. They also support our Kaji rugby program and the secondary school Deans.”
He also conveyed well- wishes to all the 16 unions taking part in the competition this year.