FORMER national and Nadroga rugby rep Napolioni Vitau said the Fiji 7s team’s gold medal win at the Olympic Games in Rio promoted this tiny nation globally.
He said this during the traditional welcoming ceremony at his Nasama Village in Nadroga on Thursday evening to greet and thank his nephew and 7s rugby gold medallist Viliame Mata.
Vitau, who toured New Zealand with the Fiji rugby team in 1994 praised Mata for his achievements and said the Nakelo lad started his rugby career with the Gaunavou rugby team in Nadroga.
“Gaunavou Rugby Club has produced many Fiji rugby reps such as Ratu Tevita Makutu, Kavekini Nalaga, Isaia Rasila, Napolioni Nalaga and many more, but you (Mata) have surpassed them all because you became an Olympic gold medallist,” Napolioni said.
“You have brought joy to all your relatives in Nasama and Nakelo and all Fijians and even the people in the South Pacific because of all players’ sacrifices, sweat and fighting spirit.”
Mata, who has maternal link to Nasama, was hosted by the villagers to a traditional ceremony and feast.
Former Nadroga rugby team manager Aminisitai Kunajuke said Mata also created a record by joining the national 7s team straight from club level without even representing a provincial team.
“He was spotted by Ben Ryan last year at Lawaqa Park playing for our Gaunavou team during the Coral Coast Sevens tournament,’ said Kunajuke.
