THE highly anticipated Fijian Cup is set to kick off on Fiji’s Coral Coast tomorrow, bringing in over 1,000 international athletes for three weekends of competitive sports, cultural celebration, and community development.
Now in its sixth year, The Fijian Cup has evolved into more than just a tournament. It has become a movement that is making a lasting impact on Fijian communities while also showcasing Fiji as a top sports tourism destination.
The tournament will feature four divisions: Men’s, Women’s, Mixed Open, and Mixed Masters, highlighting the talent of local and regional athletes from across the Pacific.
According to Richard Henry, Director of TourismHQ, The Fijian Cup is about more than just sports.
It is about creating experiences that can change lives for the athletes, the communities involved, and the young Fijians who benefit from the grassroots programs supported by the event.
“This isn’t just about sport,” says Richard Henry, Director of TourismHQ, the event’s long-standing partner.
“It’s about creating experiences that change lives for the athletes who compete, the communities who host, and the young Fijians who benefit from the grassroots programs we support.
The partnership between The Fijian Cup and Fiji’s sporting community represents the very best of what sports tourism can achieve.”
The Fijian Cup has grown to attract teams from countries such as New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Cook Islands, and more to compete in Touch, Oz Tag, and Rugby 9s at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
In addition to the competition, The Fijian Cup is also focused on making a positive impact on the local community.
This year, the tournament is funding the installation of new lighting at Lawaqa Park’s Ground No. 2 in partnership with the Fiji Sports Council and Sigatoka Town Council.
The new lights will allow for evening training and competitions, providing more opportunities for local athletes.
Plans are also in place to survey the Sigatoka River for Va’a racing lanes, with the goal of reinstating these lanes and bringing back the Bili Bili race in 2026.
This will pave the way for The Fijian Cup to introduce a Va’a/Outrigger tournament in 2027, adding to the diversity of the festival and celebrating traditional Pacific water sports.
Gilbert Vakalalabure, CEO of the Fiji Sports Council, emphasises the importance of these infrastructure investments in not only enhancing the tournament itself but also in empowering the local communities and young athletes with world-class facilities.
“The Fijian Cup has become a vital part of our sporting calendar and a catalyst for genuine development,” says Vakalalabure.
“These infrastructure investments the facility upgrades and now lighting systems, create opportunities that extend far beyond the tournament itself. This is about empowering our communities and our young athletes with world-class facilities they deserve.”
This year’s tournament line-up are Fijian Touch competition: November 7-8, Fijian OzTag competition, November 14-15, Fijian Rugby 9s, November 28-29.
