The Hibiscus Festival is currently in full swing, offering festival attendees the opportunity to enjoy a touch rugby competition that kicked off yesterday at Albert Park in Suva.
Tevita Mau, the president of Touch Federation Fiji, announced that the competition will span two days and feature participation from at least eight secondary schools. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education for its support in allowing schools to engage in this event, as the federation aims to collaborate with the ministry to incorporate touch rugby into the school curriculum starting next term.
Mau emphasized the importance of schools in the development of the sport, stating, “Schools have always been our area of interest, but we have not yet made significant progress in their development. This event marks the beginning for us.” He thanked the school administrators, teachers, and volunteers for their dedication and hard work, acknowledging that their efforts are crucial for the sport’s growth.
Additionally, Mau expressed appreciation to the festival organizers for featuring touch rugby in the week’s activities. He encouraged the public to support the participating schools, highlighting the potential of young players who could represent Fiji in the upcoming 2028 Touch World Cup and the 2031 Pacific Games.
The competition will continue today at Albert Park, starting at 10am.
In recent matches, John Wesley College defeated Queen Victoria School 4-1, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College claimed victory over Lami High School with a score of 6-1, MGM also beat QVS 4-1, and Suva Grammar School had a draw with QVS.