The registration period for the Namaka Sevens and Volleyball Tournament has been extended to accommodate changes in the tournament schedule. The volleyball competition is set for January 17-18, followed by the rugby sevens on January 24-25, both taking place at the Namaka Public School in Nadi.
Tournament coordinator, Biu Tadranu, explained that the rescheduling was necessary to prevent overlap with the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s, which will be hosted at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka next week. Since the tournament’s launch last Friday, half of the expected teams have already signed up.
For volleyball, the tournament will feature three categories, including 24 men’s teams, 10 women’s teams, and a target of 16 mixed teams. A total of six volleyball courts will be utilized. Rugby sevens will focus solely on senior men’s and women’s teams, with an anticipated participation of 24 men’s teams and eight women’s teams. While an Under-20 category is still uncertain, there is considerable interest from teams.
This inaugural Namaka Volleyball and Rugby 7s tournament aims to be a vibrant back-to-back sporting festival, with a logo symbolizing an airplane to reflect Nadi’s significance in the tourism industry. Tadranu emphasizes the tournament’s objective of providing a platform for youth in the community to showcase their athletic talents, hoping to make it an annual event that attracts both local and international teams.
Notable volleyball teams that have registered include Raiwai Eagles Volleyball Club, Golden Jet, Nadi Police, as well as several resort teams from Mana Island Resort and Tanoa International Hotel. Registered rugby teams include Airport Rugby, Sabeto Rugby, and Naduniu from Nakavu village.
Arvin Kumar, head teacher of Namaka Public School, expressed excitement about hosting the tournament, highlighting the event’s potential to strengthen community ties through collaborative partnerships.
The tournament will be jointly organized by West Event Fiji and the Waqadra Brothers Community, promoting participation and unity within the community.
The registration fees are as follows:
– Rugby Sevens: Men’s – $500, Women’s – $400
– Volleyball: Men’s – $300, Women’s – $200, Mixed – $250
Prize incentives for the winners are also appealing, with rugby sevens offering $5,000 for men and $2,500 for women, while volleyball winners can earn $2,000 for men, $1,000 for women, and $1,500 for mixed teams.
This tournament presents a wonderful opportunity to foster local talent while also promoting sports as a unifying force in the community.
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