John Sanday, the chairman of the Fiji Rakavi Football Union (FRFU), has addressed concerns regarding the board secretary Etuate Tuqota’s recent overseas travel and role within the organization. Tuqota accompanied Sanday on a recent trip to Australia, where they attended a meeting with World Rugby alongside Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica.
According to the FRFU’s Articles of Association, the primary responsibility of the board secretary is to maintain comprehensive meeting minutes, with no explicit mention of travel allowances. Sanday clarified that their trip was official and aimed at discussing funding opportunities to enhance rugby in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and other Pacific Island nations.
During their visit, they attended a long meeting where strategies for strengthening rugby were discussed, leading to complimentary tickets for the Cup quarterfinal match between Fiji and South Africa. Sanday emphasized that Tuqota’s presence was essential for documenting the meeting outcomes and maintaining high-quality records for ongoing discussions among the Pacific rugby unions.
Moreover, Sanday highlighted that World Rugby funded the accommodation for the trip, and some transportation costs were handled through an in-kind sponsorship from Fiji Airways. Importantly, neither Tuqota nor Sanday received any travel allowances from FRFU Ltd.
Sanday also mentioned that Tuqota’s role has been expanded. In addition to his traditional secretarial duties, he is now responsible for drafting official statements and governance documentation, which aims to improve communication practices within the board. This change reflects a shift toward a more structured and engaged process in stakeholder communications.
Rovereto Nayacalevu, the chief executive officer of Fiji Rugby Union, noted that Tuqota was appointed following a transparent selection process and expressed full confidence in his capabilities.
Overall, the FRFU is taking steps to strengthen its governance and communication processes, positioning itself better for future opportunities in the world of rugby. This approach can promote greater growth and success for Pacific Island rugby teams.
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