WHILE the Fiji Rugby Union continues talks on acquiring land and building a possible stadium, the question remains as to how the project will be funded.
The ambition behind this stemmed from the recurring problem of lack of grounds and infrastructural deficit plaguing rugby and every other sporting organisation in the country.
Earlier this year, FRU Board chairman John Sanday stated that they have begun talks and negotiations are progressing well with landowners from Lauwaki in Vuda as well as the TLTB.
This is on a pause as the FRU completes its overhaul.
“We need to set up our team and then they will drive that forward once the team is in place. But TLTB and the landowners have agreed, we just need now to submit the application form which will then trigger the whole process,” he said.
“We have four proposals in front of us and four opportunities we are looking at, and we will need to run through our finances.
“We have also been proactively working with unions for them to start thinking about leasing their own grounds from the landowners so that’s an ongoing conversation,” he said.
With finances, the FRU will have to explore many options to fulfill the ambition of having its own stadium.
“We have projected significant income from the Rugby Nations Championship. We are looking at making savings in the organisation, in our budget.
“We also have discussions with our funding agencies like the banks, impact agencies and interested parties that will want to fund it including government agencies.
“There’s also a crowd funding component which we might want to come to the public of Fiji to support us. That is why it is important for us to get the trust of the public and to see the vision of where we want to go with this. We want to earn their trust.”
FRU CEO Koli Sewabu said they have also had discussions with the Fiji Sports Council to look at ways to cater for the times of our games over the next couple of months.
