Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has issued a clarification regarding the recent confusion over the status of the HFC Bank Stadium in Laucala Bay. He firmly stated that he did not instruct the closure of the stadium, nor does he have any intention to do so. Rabuka emphasized that the authority to close the grounds lies with the owners, the Fiji Sports Council, and reiterated that he lacks the legal power to issue such directives.
This clarification follows a circular from the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union (FSSRU) which indicated that the stadium’s closure was due to a directive from the Prime Minister, leading to the rescheduling of the Vodafone Deans and Raluve Weet-Bix quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.
Rabuka’s involvement relates primarily to concerns about the stadium’s poor playing surface, observed during the Fiji Water Flying Fijians’ recent home test match against Scotland. He noted that the pitch had visible issues, such as uneven and soft patches, which detracted from the match quality. His comments came in light of a potential overload on scheduling, as the stadium was set to host another event soon after the rugby match, raising safety concerns for athletes.
Meanwhile, with the unavailability of the HFC Stadium, the FSSRU plans to hold the finals at Govind Park in Ba on August 23. The national quarterfinals will occur at Churchill Park in Lautoka and Prince Charles Park in Nadi, with semifinals confirmed for Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. For enthusiasts who want to catch the matches live, selected games will be broadcasted on Viti+, while local fans can enjoy exclusive coverage on FBC 2.
This situation encourages a proactive approach in resolving venue management challenges and prioritizing athlete safety, which can ultimately improve the standard of sports in Fiji. The commitment from both the government and sports organizations to better facility management presents an optimistic outlook for future events and the development of local sports.
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