Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka acknowledged the concerns expressed by former Flying Fijians Captain Waisea Nayacalevu regarding corruption and mismanagement within the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), emphasizing that these issues require immediate attention.
During a statement this afternoon, Rabuka noted that he has been informed about the ongoing administrative difficulties facing the FRU, particularly following Nayacalevu’s comments in a recent interview with the Daily Mail UK.
“When those issues were brought to my attention, I recognized that maladministration was persisting in the Fiji Rugby Union. At the last meeting, when they decided that the government would not interfere in the FRU’s operations, I accepted that it was their organization and they would manage it as they deemed appropriate,” he said.
Rabuka mentioned that 26 member unions supported a new structural reform during the Special General Meeting held at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay Convention Centre.
“This structural change means that unions will now nominate and elect their preferred candidates for each position. There will be no government, prime minister’s, or World Rugby appointees involved; it will strictly be a Fiji Rugby matter where union members will cast their votes,” he explained.
He emphasized that while the responsibility of managing their own affairs lies with the FRU, his commitment has always been to support the Flying Fijians.
“When the team contemplated boycotting last year’s World Cup quarterfinal, I assured the then interim administrator Simione Valenitabua, ‘Let the team train, and the Government will provide the funding.’ Our national team deserves our unwavering support.”