The registration period for the Namaka Sevens and Volleyball Tournament has been extended. This adjustment comes in light of a change in tournament dates, with volleyball scheduled for January 17-18 and rugby sevens set for January 24-25. Both events will take place at Namaka Public School in Nadi.
Tournament coordinator Biu Tadranu explained that the rescheduling was necessary to prevent conflicts with the upcoming McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s, which will occur next week at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. Since the tournament launch last Friday, half of the teams have already signed up.
The volleyball tournament is expected to include three categories with 24 men’s teams and 10 women’s teams participating, while the target for mixed teams is 16. Six volleyball courts will be utilized for the matches. For rugby sevens, only senior men’s and women’s divisions are planned, with a goal of attracting 24 men’s teams and eight women’s teams. Interest is also growing for an Under-20 category, although it is not yet confirmed.
Tadranu noted that they anticipate hosting approximately 53 matches for men and 23 for women across both sports. This will mark the inaugural Namaka Volleyball and Rugby 7s tournament, which aims to be a back-to-back sporting festival. The event logo, featuring an airplane, symbolizes the connection to Nadi’s tourism industry.
Tadranu emphasized the tournament’s larger purpose; it seeks to engage youth and provide them with a platform to showcase their talents. The long-term goal is to establish this as an annual tournament that attracts both local and international teams.
Several volleyball teams have already registered, including Raiwai Eagles Volleyball Club, Golden Jet, and various local resorts. Notable rugby teams on the registration list include Airport Rugby, Sabeto Rugby, and Naduniu from Nakavu village.
At Namaka Public School, head teacher Arvin Kumar expressed excitement about hosting the tournament, highlighting the partnership between the school and the community as a pathway forward for growth and unity.
The tournaments are being organized through a collaboration between West Event Fiji and the Waqadra Brothers Community, having been officially launched last Friday.
Registration fees have been set at $500 for men’s rugby teams and $400 for women’s teams. Volleyball registration fees are $300 for men’s teams, $200 for women’s teams, and $250 for mixed teams. Prize money is also considerable, with winners for men’s rugby set to receive $5,000 and women’s winners $2,500; for volleyball, men’s winners will receive $2,000, women’s $1,000, and mixed winners $1,500.
In summary, the Namaka tournaments not only promise competitive sports but also emphasize community engagement and youth development. With an optimistic outlook on participation and excitement from both organizers and the community, this event has the potential to become a cherished annual occasion that fosters local talent and unity.
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