Lynda Tabuya, the Minister for Women and president of Kadavu Rugby, has expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming Fiji Bitter Kadavu 7s tournament. She emphasized the strong roster of teams participating, including the defending champions, BLK Lavidi Brothers from Lavidi Village in Nakasaleka, Kadavu.
Tabuya highlighted the significance of showcasing and developing local rugby talent, with aspirations for Kadavu to emerge as a dominant force in the sport in the years ahead. “We are proud to host the first tournament in the series to kick off the 2024-2025 season, and there is a lot of excitement in Kadavu with our vanua teams making up the majority of competitors,” she stated.
She acknowledged the commitment to fostering talent within the community, as reflected in the current champions, and expressed confidence that Kadavu will continue to make its mark in rugby. “We appreciate these teams for overcoming the logistical challenges associated with competing in maritime provinces like Kadavu to put on an entertaining show and challenge the reigning champions at home,” Tabuya added.
The tournament will provide an opportunity for spectators to see the rising stars of 7s rugby, including national 7s players among the teams. Tabuya also mentioned the tournament’s theme of combating drug use, noting a significant 59 percent reduction in marijuana arrests at Vunisea Police Station among local youth since the formation of the Kadavu Rugby Union in December 2023.
“Rugby helps unify our vanua, and we are fully committed to eliminating illegal drug cultivation in Kadavu,” she remarked. Tabuya called on the community to come out in large numbers to support their local village and district teams during the three-day event and to witness the skills of national 7s players in action.