ECE project tops list
THE Fiji Bitter Welagi 7s was founded to serve the needs of the vanua o Nasuva in establishing projects that will develop the Welagi community on Taveuni.
The tournament is organised by the Welagi Rugby Club.
Media marketing manager Mosese Seru said 15 per cent of the money collected from registration fees would go towards project funding.
“We thank our major sponsor, the local manufacturer for beer, RTD and spirits, Paradise Beverage Fiji Ltd and its sponsoring brand Fiji Bitter for hopping onboard to sponsor the first-ever Welagi 7s,” Seru said.
“Fiji Bitter has been a renowned brand in developing sports at the grassroots level for almost five decades, and Welagi is privileged to be one of the many that will fulfil Fiji Bitter’s mission.
“The tournament was initially scheduled for the 8th to 10th of last month but was postponed upon the withdrawal of our rugby tournament sanctions from the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) in order to observe the Fiji polls 2022.
“Thus, the club had to resort to the alternative plans that have been initially arranged to prepare for such events which are now finalised dates from January 1921.”
Seru said funds raised would be used to relocate their Early Childhood Centre.
“The Welagi Village Committee found out that it is in dire need to relocate the centre because the current ECE is situated with their evacuation centre which they also use as their community hall in a double storey building, and we do not want our children to be disturbed by the engagement that goes on at the hall.
“Thus upon the success of the muchanticipated tournament, we will be able to secure a self-situated ECE and convert the current centre to a women’s kitchen for village engagements.
“Our ECE project is forecasted on a three-year time line at a budgeted cost of $40,000. Seventy-five per cent of all team and stall registrations are solely dedicated to the running of the project.
“In this year’s first Fiji Bitter Welagi 7s, we are looking at raising about $45,000 on registrations alone. Excavation for the ECE started last year with almost $20,000 worth of job done, the official groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 1pm on Saturday with the presence of our major and co-sponsors.
“We have secured a number of prominent rugby, volleyball and netball teams from around the country and we’re looking forward to hosting them at the Welagi Village ground this week.
“We are very thankful to all our sponsors and partners for assisting the Welagi Rugby Club in organising the first-ever Fiji Bitter Welagi 7s.”