The Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North, held last month, generated an impressive $327,000. Festival committee president Zaheen Ibrahim expressed her gratitude, stating that months of preparation by organizers, volunteers, and sponsors, particularly the festival committee, contributed to this success.
Ibrahim announced the record-breaking amount during a thanksgiving event in Labasa on Saturday. The festival took place at Subrail Park in Labasa from August 31 to September 7. As the first female president of the festival committee, Ibrahim highlighted the strong bonds formed with volunteers that played a crucial role in the festival’s achievement.
“It is a time to appreciate the hard work, resilience, and dedication of our committee members,” Ibrahim stated. She acknowledged the challenges faced during preparations and commended the committee’s perseverance.
During the event, special plaques and certificates were awarded to committee members, and Ibrahim recognized the vital contributions from major sponsors like Vodafone Fiji, along with other corporate supporters. “Without our sponsors, this festival would not have been successful,” she emphasized, expressing hope for continued sponsorship in the future.
Nilesh Singh, Vodafone’s head of recharge and operations, was the chief guest at the event. He affirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining its partnership with the festival, stressing the importance of community outreach.
Ibrahim noted the festival managed to elevate the performance standards by selecting high-quality contestants who showcased their talents throughout the week. She also acknowledged the supportive role families played in encouraging contestants to excel.
Results from the festival’s charity initiatives include the construction of a washroom facility at Subrail Park ground two and the donation of musical equipment to Nabala Secondary School. Additional projects will be initiated soon.