Miss-Delectable
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Sponsorship mix up costs deaf rugby stars - Fiji Times Online
"Have a heart for the unfortunate"
That's the message for the Fiji Rugby Union from the Tui Nawaka Ratu Manasa Qoro Naevo after the parent body left the Fiji Deaf Rugby Association high and dry pulling the plug on their 7s tournament in Nadi.
The FRU pulled out their support from the three-day event after the national side opted to commit to a sponsorship deal with Vodafone for the tournament.
The sponsorship deal included cash and a set of jersey.
Vodafone is in direct competition with Digicel which is a major sponsor for the FRU.
The parent body was in charge of the logistics and running of the tournament which attracted teams from New Zealand and Australia.
When the national team arrived into Nadi last Friday they were notified that FRU had cancelled the bookings for the tournament, their transportation and accommodation.
Ratu Manasa said he was hurt to hear that the parent body had withdrawn its support for the tournament.
He said the players and officials were reduced to tears when they were told that FRU had withdrawn their support.
Ratu Manasa said teams from overseas had arrived into the country unaware of the problems so he worked out two options for the Fiji side.
"One was to call off the tournament while the other was to hold it over one day on a round-robin basis," Ratu Manasa said.
"To avoid embarrassment, the vanua of Nawaka decided to get behind the Fiji deaf team and host the tournament. Prince Charles Park was provided free of charge by the Nadi town administrator Aisea Tuidraki on Tuesday.
"It was a very emotional moment. These are not normal people that we are dealing with. We have to treat them specially."
FRU operations manager Vili-kesa Rinavuaka said they had to cut ties from the tournament because of conflict of interest in regard to the sponsorship.
He said people need to understand the term of corporate sponsorship.
Rinavuaka said they don't want to make this a big issue.
Fiji Deaf Rugby Association president Paula Ranatawake said there was some miscommunication in regards to the tournament.
Speaking through interpreter Patricia Miller, Ranatawake said they were grateful to the FRU for their support so far.
"It's through some misunderstanding that all of this happened," Ranatawake said.
"We will go back and offer a traditional sevusevu seeking an apology from the FRU. We need their support to host the 2011 Pacific Nations Cup in Fiji."
Ratu Manasa said this miscommunication would not have happened if the FRU had explained the issues relating to the sponsorship to the team.
He said the national side should have been given time to weigh their options of the sponsorship and the consequences.
"It is a lame excuse to shun the deaf side because they took up a sponsorship from Vodafone," Ratu Manasa said.
"There is no complains when FRU hosts Digicel Cup matches at venues sponsored by Vodafone. They have big Vodafone signs displayed on the stadiums. For that there is no concern.
"I firmly believe that FRU should be the one looking for sponsors for such an organisation as the Fiji Deaf Rugby Association.
"The saddest part is that these people cannot speak or hear. It is very hard for them to express their feelings from their heart.
"When they are happy they cry. When they are sad they cry.
"When these people went to Vodafone, the writing was on the wall that they needed help and assurance. This is when FRU should have stepped in.
"My question is where is the human value in FRU? Are they ready to step up and help these people or will they continue to turn a blind eye.
"Rugby is not all about making money but giving back to the community as well.
The participating teams will be hosted to dinner and entertainment by the Nawaka villagers this evening.
"Have a heart for the unfortunate"
That's the message for the Fiji Rugby Union from the Tui Nawaka Ratu Manasa Qoro Naevo after the parent body left the Fiji Deaf Rugby Association high and dry pulling the plug on their 7s tournament in Nadi.
The FRU pulled out their support from the three-day event after the national side opted to commit to a sponsorship deal with Vodafone for the tournament.
The sponsorship deal included cash and a set of jersey.
Vodafone is in direct competition with Digicel which is a major sponsor for the FRU.
The parent body was in charge of the logistics and running of the tournament which attracted teams from New Zealand and Australia.
When the national team arrived into Nadi last Friday they were notified that FRU had cancelled the bookings for the tournament, their transportation and accommodation.
Ratu Manasa said he was hurt to hear that the parent body had withdrawn its support for the tournament.
He said the players and officials were reduced to tears when they were told that FRU had withdrawn their support.
Ratu Manasa said teams from overseas had arrived into the country unaware of the problems so he worked out two options for the Fiji side.
"One was to call off the tournament while the other was to hold it over one day on a round-robin basis," Ratu Manasa said.
"To avoid embarrassment, the vanua of Nawaka decided to get behind the Fiji deaf team and host the tournament. Prince Charles Park was provided free of charge by the Nadi town administrator Aisea Tuidraki on Tuesday.
"It was a very emotional moment. These are not normal people that we are dealing with. We have to treat them specially."
FRU operations manager Vili-kesa Rinavuaka said they had to cut ties from the tournament because of conflict of interest in regard to the sponsorship.
He said people need to understand the term of corporate sponsorship.
Rinavuaka said they don't want to make this a big issue.
Fiji Deaf Rugby Association president Paula Ranatawake said there was some miscommunication in regards to the tournament.
Speaking through interpreter Patricia Miller, Ranatawake said they were grateful to the FRU for their support so far.
"It's through some misunderstanding that all of this happened," Ranatawake said.
"We will go back and offer a traditional sevusevu seeking an apology from the FRU. We need their support to host the 2011 Pacific Nations Cup in Fiji."
Ratu Manasa said this miscommunication would not have happened if the FRU had explained the issues relating to the sponsorship to the team.
He said the national side should have been given time to weigh their options of the sponsorship and the consequences.
"It is a lame excuse to shun the deaf side because they took up a sponsorship from Vodafone," Ratu Manasa said.
"There is no complains when FRU hosts Digicel Cup matches at venues sponsored by Vodafone. They have big Vodafone signs displayed on the stadiums. For that there is no concern.
"I firmly believe that FRU should be the one looking for sponsors for such an organisation as the Fiji Deaf Rugby Association.
"The saddest part is that these people cannot speak or hear. It is very hard for them to express their feelings from their heart.
"When they are happy they cry. When they are sad they cry.
"When these people went to Vodafone, the writing was on the wall that they needed help and assurance. This is when FRU should have stepped in.
"My question is where is the human value in FRU? Are they ready to step up and help these people or will they continue to turn a blind eye.
"Rugby is not all about making money but giving back to the community as well.
The participating teams will be hosted to dinner and entertainment by the Nawaka villagers this evening.