Forty-four teams will battle for the $1000 top prize in The Hot Bread Kitchen-sponsored Easter Volleyball Championships at the Vodafone Arena this weekend.
Fiji Volleyball Federation president Kemueli Naiqama said while the winner would walk away $1k richer, runners-up would not be empty-handed, there were $400 prizes for them as well.
He said the volleyball federation was working intensely to put together a good tournament that would be fast, competitive and entertaining.
Naiqama said there were also special prizes for the semi-finalists, and trophies were also part and partial of Hot Bread Kitchen’s sponsorship.
“We are trying to create an environment not only to be represented on an association level but also for them (players) to know there are opportunities at the national level,” he said.
Naiqama said they also looked forward to the Pacific Games in November-December to be held in the Solomons, with indoor men’s and women’s volleyball teams and the beach volleyball competition.
He also said after the final on Saturday, a 30-member squad for the men’s and women’s will be announced for the Pacific Games.
He said volleyball competitions were no longer just sports-focused events because players had also managed to secure jobs in the Fiji Police Force, Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Fiji Correction Service by participating in tournaments.
The Hot Bread Kitchen founder Mere Samisoni said their involvement in the sport was a means to target unemployment because the sport was played competitively by people across the Central, Western, and Northern divisions in Fiji.
“Me and my team support this project, we love to give back to the community, and it is also very pleasing to be able to work with the president of the Fiji Volleyball Federation,” she said.
Samisoni also commits to sponsor the tournament for the next three years.
If you are looking for something exciting to watch this weekend, head on down to the Vodafone Arena this weekend.
