The Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil is literally months away and our Fiji 7s rugby men and women’s teams are no doubt our best hopes in winning the country’s first ever gold medal at the world event.
To help make this dream become a reality, a unique Volunteer Fundraising Group is being launched today to assist the Fiji Rugby Union in raising funds for its ‘Road to Rio’ campaign.
Driven by ardent Fiji Rugby supporters, this fundraising Committee consists of volunteers who are executives in their respective fields aimed at using their expertise to maximise raising funds for our national players.
Co-Chaired by Fiji Sports Council CEO, Litiana Loabuka and Tamarisi Digitaki, COO of VT Solutions, this talented group of individuals includes the likes of Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd National Sales Manager Lawrence Tikaram, R C Manubhai CEO Bharvesh Patel and Seamech Limited’s Financial Controller Torika Brodie amongst several other individuals who have stepped forward to answer FRU’s SOS.
Several individuals in this Committee have earned vast experience in the sporting fraternity whether it be through national representation or as key administrators in major sporting events in Fiji over the years – proving a promising make-up to getting our men and women to the OIympics.
Loabuka says while still in its infant stages, the Committee already has a list of fundraising drives to initiate.
“One of the major phases from these group of Volunteers will actually be fabricated by Kriz Signs says Managing Director and fellow ‘Road to Gold’ Committee member Nilesh Chetty. This perspecs large sized ‘Rugby Ball Shaped Money Box’ will be positioned at the airport departure lounge for departing passengers to rid of coins or even to simply put forward donations to Fiji Rugby. We are grateful to AFL CEO Faiz Khan for his support in this cause.”
The Committee has adopted a ‘give back to the sport programme’ type concept which will involve a series of fundraising events leading up to the Games in August.
Fiji Rugby Union Acting CEO, Dr Berlin Kafoa says such an initiative from Fiji rugby fans would serve as the ultimate support the national men and women’s teams need to prepare for their first ever Olympic Games outing.
“We all have that one, same dream to hear our National Anthem being played whilst our players stand on that podium – and to have individuals who want to help in making that dream a reality is great for Rugby in Fiji. Rather than being the usual ‘Couch Coach Critics’ we would like to encourage everyone to pitch in, dig deep and support Fiji 7s and Fijiana coaches Ben Ryan and Chris Cracknell by taking a more constructive approach. Becoming a volunteer with the best intentions to help raise funds to get the team to Rio is a gold medal won, that we all know we played a vital role in achieving too.” “I commend the individuals and the corporates behind these volunteers for doing this rather than just sitting back adn waiting for Government handouts they are taking the initiative to drive this and get the whole community involved to give back to their Country and support our Men and Women’s 7’s team this way.”
Exciting times are ahead for Fiji athletes preparing for these games and knowing extra support is coming from this ‘Road to Gold’ Committee of volunteers, it can only serve as a national motivator on Fiji’s ‘Road to Rio’ campaign.
If you may be interested or would like to know more information about this Committee or what Fundraising plans that are in place, please contact: Litiana Loabuka on 9905323 or email Litiana@fijisportscouncil.com.fj or Tamarisi Sharma on 7779209 or email Tam@VT-solutions.com
The Rio Olympics will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from August 5th – 21st, 2016.
FIJI SPORTS COUNCIL