Caption: Representing the Tui Nawaka in receiving the cheque, Former Fiji Rep Apisai Naevo and Apisai Nagata with Paradise Beverage General Manager Tony Scalon, at the official launching of the Fiji Bitter 7s at the Tokatoka Resort Hotel, last night. Photo: JOSEPHINE NAVULA.
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s held their official launch with main sponsor Pacific Beverage, with a total of 64 teams confirmed for the two-day tournament that will take place from next week Friday at the Prince Charles Park, Nadi.
Pacific Beverage General Manger, Tony Scalon donated a cheque of $25,000 to the tournament organizers last night at the Tokatoka Resort Hotel, Nadi.
Tournament President Mataiasi Nabau said the Nawaka 7s is unique and this year’s launch is different from the past 26 years.
“We have received confirmation from clubs such as Police, Army, Red Rock, Wardens, Samurai Barracudas, Westfield Babas and Nasolo,” he said.
Fiji Bitter Sales and Marketing Manager, Joe Rodan said Nawaka 7s has done a wonderful job in developing rugby players over the years.
“Our policy is to develop grass root level rugby and that’s what we have been doing. We believe that’s where the development is you needed to identify players in order to take them through,” he said.
Rodan said they have spent a lot of money over the years to develop rugby and sponsoring grass root level rugby and it has turned out positive with such tournaments.
“Nawaka 7s has done a lot for Fiji Rugby, they have provided a lot of national reps that represented our country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nawaka 7s mini tournament, which was to have been played at Prince Charles Park today, has been called off due to the bad weather.