Fiji’s aspiration to join the National Rugby League (NRL) remains active, as confirmed by Jese Saukuru, the Minister for Youth and Sports. The government is committed to supporting the bid through endorsements from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and other officials. Saukuru emphasized that they are doing their utmost to assist the organization managing the proposal.
Interestingly, contrary to the approach taken by Papua New Guinea, which recently secured a license for an NRL team by 2028 with the support of both the Australian and Papua New Guinean Prime Ministers, Fiji has not yet pursued financial assistance from Australian entities.
In other news, there is a lack of recent updates from the commission of inquiry investigating the death of Ubayd Haider. The last information revealed that six individuals located overseas, including promoter Freddy Chand, were slated to be interviewed. An update is anticipated from the inquiry’s chairperson, Edwin Wainiqolo, within the week.
This ongoing effort to establish a national team in the NRL demonstrates Fiji’s strong commitment to advancing its presence in the world of rugby league. With the backing of the government and continued progress in discussions, there is optimism for a successful outcome.
Summary: Fiji is actively pursuing a bid to join the NRL, with government support and a commitment to bolster its proposal, while updates from a related commission of inquiry are awaited. The situation showcases Fiji’s dedication to expanding its rugby league footprint.
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