Miscommunication at the Vodafone-sponsored Southern Zone Deans Secondary Schools Rugby Union competition created confusion among media personnel during the semi-finals yesterday. A team from The Fiji Times was initially refused entry into Buckhurst Park by officials at the seaside gate, who stated that “No media allowed” into the grounds to take pictures and cover the semi-finals.
Media had been allowed to cover the competition from the first round through to the quarter-finals. Zone president Rusiate Wadali later clarified that the media were indeed permitted to cover the games. The same reporters were eventually granted entry, over an hour after being stopped.
Representatives from other media outlets experienced a similar issue but were also let in under Wadali’s directive.