WITH the Hibiscus Festival now underway, festival goers have a chance to immerse themselves in the touch rugby competition that began yesterday at Albert Park in Suva.
Touch Federation Fiji president Tevita Mau says that the two-day meet will see at least eight secondary schools take part.
He thanked the Ministry of Education for allowing schools to take part, as the federation plans to engage the ministry in considering the sport’s inclusion in term one next year.
“Schools are a space that has always been our area of interest, but we have really not taken off the ground in regard to their development, so this is the starting point for us,” he said.
Mau acknowledged the schools, their administrators and teachers for sending their schools to take part, and volunteers for the self-less work done in facilitating the sport’s reach on the ground.
“We’re very grateful for the efforts that are worth acknowledging, because without them we wouldn’t be going to where we want to go so we are very grateful and thankful to them in that regard.”
He thanked the festival organizers for allowing the sport to be included in the festival’s line-up of activities during the weeklong carnival.
Mau urged the public to come and support the schools showcasing their raw talents and witness potential players that he says, would be old enough to represent Fiji in the 2028 Touch World Cup and the 2031 Pacific Games.
The competition continues today at Albert Park from 10am.
Results: John Wesley College beat Queen Victoria School 4-1, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College beat Lami High School 6-1, MGM beat QVS 4-1, Suva Grammar School drew with QVS.
