The registration period for the Namaka Sevens and Volleyball Tournament has been extended following a rescheduling of the event dates. The volleyball matches are set to occur on January 17-18, while the rugby sevens will take place on January 24-25 at the Namaka Public School in Nadi.
Tournament coordinator Biu Tadranu announced the extension to prevent a scheduling conflict with the upcoming McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens, taking place next week at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka. Since the launch of the tournament last Friday, half of the participating teams have already registered.
The volleyball segment will feature three categories: 24 men’s teams, 10 women’s teams, and a target of 16 mixed teams, played across six volleyball courts. For the rugby sevens, only senior categories for men and women will be contested, with a goal of attracting about 24 teams for men and eight for women. Although the under-20 category is still in discussion, Tadranu noted a growing interest from teams.
This tournament marks the first-ever Namaka Volleyball and Rugby Sevens event, reflecting a vision to create a back-to-back sports festival that aligns with Nadi’s tourism identity. Tadranu emphasized the importance of providing a platform for youth to showcase their talents and hopes to establish the tournament as an annual tradition that draws both local and international teams.
Some of the volleyball clubs already registered include Raiwai Eagles Volleyball Club, Golden Jet, and teams from local resorts like Mana Island Resort and Tanoa International Hotel. Similarly, rugby registrations have come from teams such as Airport Rugby and Sabeto Rugby.
Arvin Kumar, head teacher at Namaka Public School, expressed enthusiasm for hosting the event, highlighting the importance of community engagement and partnerships. The tournament is being organized through a collaboration between West Event Fiji and the Waqadra Brothers Community, launched last Friday at the school.
Registration fees are set as follows: Men’s Rugby 7s – $500, Women’s Rugby 7s – $400; Volleyball – Men’s: $300, Women’s: $200, Mixed team – $250. Prize money for the tournaments includes $5,000 for the men’s rugby winner, $2,500 for the women’s, and varying amounts for the volleyball winners.
This event not only reinforces community spirit but also aims to foster sportsmanship and youth engagement in a vibrant setting. As the tournament nears, the excitement continues to build, promising a thrilling experience for players and spectators alike.
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