The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, has expressed deep sadness regarding the recent corruption allegations made against the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) by players based overseas. In an interview with SUNsports, Gavoka, who previously served as the FRU chairman, discussed the challenges faced by the board of directors and staff at Rugby House.
His comments followed a media interview with the Daily Mail by former Flying Fijians captain Waisea Nayacalevu, who revealed plans to boycott last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against England over issues related to unpaid bonuses and corruption within the FRU. Nayacalevu’s stance was supported by senior players including Semi Radradra, Levani Botia, Meli Derenalagi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, and Albert Tuisue, who also called for the removal of the interim Trustees and staff at FRU.
Gavoka remarked that everyone involved in rugby is an honorable individual, emphasizing that rugby administration in Fiji is largely a volunteer effort. He expressed disappointment that the allegations suggest the administration and board are to blame for the ongoing issues.
He acknowledged that rugby is an expensive sport, particularly in Fiji, where it is predominantly played by the iTaukei population, who lack substantial resources. Despite these challenges, Gavoka affirmed the aspiration to compete on the international stage against teams like England and France, recognizing the disparity in resources.
Highlighting financial constraints, he noted that running the FRU has always been a challenge. Gavoka pointed out that while there are dedicated and honorable individuals managing the organization, they often do so without any financial compensation.
He stressed the need for respect towards current FRU leaders, highlighting the difficulty of attracting sponsorship in a small market like Fiji. While acknowledging recent support from companies such as Fiji Water and Fiji Airways, he reiterated that financial issues remain a fundamental reality for rugby in Fiji. Gavoka concluded by noting that employees at FRU often face uncertainty regarding their salaries, a situation he witnessed firsthand during his tenure as chairman.