The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, expressed deep concern over the recent corruption allegations against the Fiji Rugby Union made by players based overseas, calling the situation “extremely sad.”
In an interview with SUNsports, Gavoka, who previously served as chairman of the FRU, highlighted the challenges faced by the board of directors and staff at Rugby House. His comments followed an interview with former Flying Fijians captain Waisea Nayacalevu, who discussed plans for a boycott of last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against England due to unpaid bonuses and alleged corruption within the FRU. Senior players such as Semi Radradra, Levani Botia, Meli Derenalagi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, and Albert Tuisue have supported Nayacalevu’s stance, calling for the removal of the interim trustees and staff.
Gavoka noted that many individuals involved in rugby are honorable and contribute a significant amount of time without financial compensation. He expressed sadness at the suggestions that the issues faced by players were the fault of the administration and board. He acknowledged the high costs of running rugby in Fiji, a country with limited resources, stating that most players are from the iTaukei community.
He emphasized the importance of financial backing, explaining that reliance on sponsorship is complicated by Fiji’s smaller market size. While companies like Fiji Water and Fiji Airways have come on board to support rugby, Gavoka reiterated that financial challenges remain a fundamental issue for the sport. He reflected on his own experiences as chairman, where uncertainty about salaries was commonplace, highlighting the stark reality faced by those working within the organization.