Rumours that the Fijiana Drua were not accorded the welcome they deserve upon their return to the country last Sunday have been rubbished by the Sports Minister Parveen Kumar.
He told Parliament that it was unfortunate that this kind of misinformation was based on lack of fact-checking.
Kumar said Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O’Connor confirmed that not only was the team received by him and the senior executives at the Nadi airport, but the players and management were given a traditional welcome at Viseisei Village in Lautoka, followed by a church service and thanksgiving dinner.
He said further programs have been planned which would coincide with the upcoming match for the Fijian Drua side against the Chiefs in Lautoka.
“So let me assure this House and the people of Fiji that there are no double standards in play, as some have assumed,” he said.
“We will continue to ensure that the women’s teams are given all the glory that they deserve as we have done in the past when we honoured returning athletes and teams, both women and men.”
