The Stallion Volume 2 Number 1

JANUARY, 2014 COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE SIGATOKA TOWN COUNCIL ISSUE NUMBER 5
Tourism boom
Coral Coast records highest occupancies in third quarter of 2013
By TALEI TORA
By SHONAL KUMAR
The Coral Coast recorded the
highest occupancy in the third
quarter of 2013. According to the
Fiji Bureau of Statistics, the region
recorded a room occupancy rate of
56.2 percent for the third quarter
with 48.3 recorded in the second
quarter, an increase of 2.8 percent
(45.5%) from last year. The statis-
tics also indicated that takings from
accommodation, sales of food, li-
quor, telephone and other charges
totaled $277.1 million.
Coral Coast Hoteliers chairman
and Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji
General Manager Peter Hopgood
stated 2013 was a very successful
year for the resorts on the Coral
Coast adding most of the resorts
experienced increased occupancies
and were able to yield their rates
slightly higher.
We agree with the numbers
from the Bureau of Statistics! We
have slowly been taking market
share off our cousins on Denarau
and we hope to continue to do this!
Most of the resorts on the Coral
Coast were very busy with wed-
dings in the third quarter. We also
saw an increase in visitation from
New Zealand, Mr Hopgood stat-
ed.
Major plans for the Coral Coast
properties in 2014 include refur-
bishments and upgrades to keep
the high standards of service and
quality which will cater for what
is hoped to be another successful
year.
The General Managers on the
Coral Coast are committed to im-
proving the quality of their prod-
ucts at their individual resorts.
Naviti Resort will undertake a
major rebuild in 2014 whilst the
Warwick Resort and Spa will also
go through a major refurbishment.
Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji will
be building a new Kids Club and
Meimei Nanny centre as well as
building new accommodation for
their managers. Hideaway Re-
sort will continue to rebuild their
Bures, Mr Hopgood continued.
Mr Hopgood stated the region
will continue to market the Coral
Coast destination as a whole.
We strongly believe that the
Coral Coast is the cultural and ad-
venture capital of Fiji and this is
why so many guests come and stay
at the Coral Coast resorts. Market-
ing our region as a whole is prov-
ing successful for us and we plan
to do this again in the rst quarter,
he added.
Fijis sporting icon and Olympic Gold Medalist Iliesa Delana meets a young guest at the Shangri-Las Fijian Re-
sort during the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony last year. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.
Erosion poses major threat to Coral Coast environment
Climate change is imminent and
the impacts of it are becoming ob-
vious day by day.
Erosion along the coastal lines
has begun posing its negative im-
pact on the homes and tourism
properties in the Coral Coast.
Hotel Operator, owner of Casa-
blanca Hotel in Korotogo, Mustafa
Khatab told The Fiji Times that
erosions pose a great risk on the
future generation and businesses
and therefore there is an immediate
need for all stakeholders to work
together in order to arrest the situ-
ation.
He said that residing in Coral
Coast for the past 20-years; he has
seen the impact of climate change
along the coast especially the rise
in sea level causing erosion be-
coming palpable.
We are lucky that we are pro-
tected by the reef but we need to
work together to nd solutions like
planting mangroves because this
will reduce erosion, Mr. Khatab
told The Fiji Times.
The soil gets washed away and
its getting dangerous day by day.
He also commented that the o-
ra species along the coast are also
dying out due to erosion.
Email:- stallionnewspaper@gmail.com www.thestallionnewspaper.com
THE STALLION - COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF SIGATOKA 2
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
OBITUARY
ANUSHIL KUMAR
MINFO
PRINTED BY MAX MARKETING AND PUBLISHING LIMITED,
VATUWAQA, SUVA. Phone: (679) 3375041.
LAYOUT BY SHALENDRA PRASAD & MUNAUWAR KHAN
THE STALLION is published monthly by SHAMBU ADVERTISING
on behalf of the SIGATOKA TOWN COUNCIL.
PUBLISHER : SHALENDRA PRASAD Cell: 9232073
ADVERTISING : MARGARET NAQIRI Cell: 9360047
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ALL COMMUNICATION TO THE SIGATOKA TOWN COUNCIL
SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE CEO MR ANAND PILLAY on
Phone: 6500018 Fax: 6520231 Email:- ceo@sigatokatown.com.fj
ABOUT SIGATOKA
Sigatoka town is found on the island of Viti Levu and is situated at the mouth of the
Sigatoka River, after which it is named, some 61 kilometers from Nadi.
In Fiji's last census (2007) the population of Sigatoka was at 9622. Sigatoka is the
principal urban centre for the province of Nadroga-Navosa.
An ornate temple, open to public and built by Hare Krishna devotees, dominates the
Sigatoka skyline. Major tourist attractions include the Sigatoka Sand Dunes near Ku-
lukulu village two kilometers north-west of Sigatoka, the Tavuni Fort and the Kula Eco
Park, which houses some 500 birds of 100 species from many tropical countries. The
town is also the principal centre for Fiji's coastal tourism belt the Coral Coast
which hosts many of the country's leading hotels and resorts.
FROM THE DESK
Paramount chief of Nadroga laid to rest
Late Turaga Na Kalevu
Ratu Sakiusa Makutu seen
with the Farebrother Sulli-
van trophy at the Sigatoka
Village during the Nadroga
Rugby Union victory cele-
brations on Saturday, Octo-
ber 26. Photo: MARGARET
NAQIRI.
A sea of mourners united
in grief to pay their nal re-
spect to the late paramount
chief of Nadroga, Turaga Na
Kalevu Ratu Sakiusa Ma-
kutu who was laid to rest at
the chiey burial grounds in
Cuvu, Sigatoka on Thursday,
December 12.
Ratu Sakiusa, 66, passed
By SHALENDRA
PRASAD
away in Sigatoka on Sunday,
November 24. He is survived
by his wife and ve children.
The late chief was installed
with the chiey title thirteen
years ago and is best known
for his caring attitude towards
the people of his province.
He also served as the may-
or of Sigatoka and was active
in sports during his heydays,
having played for the Nadroga
Rugby Union.
Prime Minister Commo-
dore Voreqe Bainimarama
paid a visit to the Sigatoka
municipal market on Thurs-
day, January 9 to see the cur-
rent state of the market before
upgrading works begin.
Government has allocated
$200,000 for the upgrading
of the current market which
is situated in the centre of the
town.
Special Administrator Jay
Whyte and Provincial Admin-
istrator Peni Koro accompa-
nied the Prime Minister who
expressed concern on the
current status of the market
where sellers are congested
into small spaces to sell their
produce from.
After the upgrading of
the market, wholesalers and
retailers will now have better
facilities to use in providing
hygienic and healthy selling
facilities to their customers,
Mr Koro said.
The Prime Ministers
visit also reiterates Govern-
ments commitment towards
our farmers who contribute
to the nations economy and
especially Sigatoka which is
a known producers and ex-
porter of fresh fruits and veg-
etables.
Sigatoka is also the big-
gest exporter of fruits and
vegetables and exports almost
90 percent of Fijis export
produce such as pawpaw,
PM visits Sigatoka Market
eggplant, cucumber, cabbage,
and okra among others.
Whist in Sigatoka, the
Prime Minister also visited
the new site of the proposed
Sigatoka bus stand, which will
be located behind Menoos
Fashions and the ANZ bank
branch there.
Currently, the town has
seen an inux of bus services
and with record number of
tourists arriving, the town
council feels that a new site
for the bus stand, Mr Koro
added.
The new bus stand will
also ensure minimal disrup-
tions to shop operators, cus-
tomers and other Fijians who
use the town centre for busi-
ness purposes.
Prime Minister Bainimarama meets market vendors while special administrator Jay Whyte
looks on.
Romika makes
family proud
It was a dream come true for the family of Romika Lata as
she graduated with her MBBS Degree in the rst ever
graduation ceremony of Umanand Prasad School of Med-
icine at Saweni campus in Lautoka recently.
Coming from a tireless family, Romika came across many
challenges and hardship to achieve success and uplift the
name of her family in Olosara, Sigatoka.
While speaking to The Stallion Newspaper, Romikas happi-
ness was just beyond her words to describe as it was the
most joyous part of her life.
I am very proud of my parents as they are the sole reason
for my success today, said Romika. I also take this op-
portunity to thank my family and friends for the initial
support in my studies.
Romika is the eldest daughter of the family having a young-
er sister with father Rohit Kumar who is a carpenter and
mother Sushila Kumar who does domestic duties.
Doing the internship to the maximum of her abilities is the
next plan for the newly graduated doctor.
To commemorate her success, the family organized a cel-
ebration party at their home in Olosara, Sigatoka where
family members and friends turned up to bless Romika
for a brighter future.
Romika with her parents Rohit and Sushila Kumar. Photo:
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LOCAL NEWS
From left are Michael Monks, General Manager of Shangrilas Fijian Resort, Peter Hopgood, General Manager of Outrigger on the Lagoon . Fiji, Dr Sravania
Dasi, Sub-Divisional Medical Ofcer of Sigatoka District Hospital, David Woodman, General Manager of The Naviti Resort and Scott Williams, General Man-
ager of InterContinental. Photo: ALLAN STEPHEN.
Coral Coast FHTA hands over $57,000 to
Sigatoka District Hospital Board
By TALEI TORA
The Coral Coast chapter of
Fiji Hotel and Tourism Asso-
ciation (FHTA) handed over a
cheque worth $57, 034.55 to
the Sigatoka District Hospital
Board for the construction of a
new maternity ward.
The chapter made the con-
tribution at the Outrigger on
the Lagoon Fiji on Tuesday,
December 10.
Outrigger on the Lagoon
Fiji General Manager and
Coral Coast FHTA chairman
Peter Hopgood said the mon-
ey was raised at the Sigatoka
District Hospital Charity golf
day which was held at the
Natadola Bay on Sunday, De-
cember 1.
The Coral Coast Hote-
liers in collaboration with the
Ministry of Health have be-
gun construction of the new
maternity ward at the Siga-
toka District Hospital and this
money is to go towards this
project which will cost about
$2.2 million, Mr Hopgood
stated.
The efforts to raise money
to build the new maternity
ward is indicative of the sup-
port and collaboration of the
tourism stakeholders in the
Coral Coast to improve the
living standards of the people
in the region, Mr Hopgood
continued.
We would also like to say
vinaka to the business houses
around the country that par-
ticipated at the charity golf
day to help us raise funds for
a worthy cause, Mr Hopgood
added.
The ceremony was attend-
ed by Coral Coast hoteliers,
business houses as well as
board members of the Siga-
toka District Hospital.
Meanwhile Health Minis-
ter Dr Neil Sharma ofciated
the ground breaking ceremo-
ny of the new ward on Mon-
day, January 20.
He thanked everyone in-
volved with the project.
STREET
POLL
What is something
new you would like
to see in your town
this year?
Navin Nitesh , Olosara
Answer: Cinema
Sainiana Nakovi, Nadrala
Village. Answer: Bus stand
to be extended
Mohammed Saheed, Olo-
sara. Answer: Sitting bure
near the river
Asivorosi Toviri, Nadrala
Answer: We need a FNPF
ofce in Sigatoka
LOCAL NEWS
Prime Minister Voreqe
Bainimarama recently met
with families at Votua Hous-
ing Settlement along the Coral
Coast to address their concerns
regarding the lack of electricity
in their community.
The concerns of the commu-
nity, especially its impact on the
children, prompted the Head of
Government to visit them and
look at ways of addressing their
concerns.
In response, he has in-
Let there be light
structed the relevant authorities,
including the Fiji Electricity
Authority (FEA), to look at ad-
dressing their concerns.
The Turaga-ni-Koro of the
area, Elimeleki Turagarogo
thanked the Prime Minister for
his visit and talking to residents
rsthand after the issue was
raised with his ofce.
Providing some form of
electricity to all homes in Fiji,
whether in the rural areas or
remote islands, has been a goal
for the Bainimarama Govern-
ment.
In the recent past, the Head
of Government has opened
many electrication projects
such as solar projects, coco-die-
sel projects and the Nadarivatu
Hydro Scheme.
Government has dedicated
$10 million in the 2014 Nation-
al Budget for rural electrica-
tion projects.
MINFO
MINFO
Libraries are places where
beginners starts their journey
of obtaining information and
broadening their knowledge.
Providing a wide range
of books and multimedia re-
sources, the Sigatoka Town
Council ofcially reopened
their library on October, 19,
2012.
In observance to peoples
requests and focusing on the
obstacles faced by society in
obtaining resources for infor-
mation - the council library
was reopened with much an-
ticipation.
Sigatoka Town Coucil li-
brarian, Sokoveti Delana said:
each day, stories excite the
curiosity of children and satis-
fy the desire of adults to better
understand the world.
Council library an
oasis of education
By KAVITA NAIDU In accordance with public
demand, the services offered
at the library is more conve-
nient and students are guided
to do assignments efciently."
She reiterated the position
of libraries as a community
cornerstone and said reading
would help improve the lit-
eracy of young minds.
The council has 78 regis-
tered members, majority of
them being school students.
Being service oriented
the library provides ction
and non-ction books, daily
newspapers, internet services,
charts and pacic collection
books for all users.
Encouraging more parents
to indulge in quality reading
with their children, Sigatoka
Town Council Chief Execu-
tive Ofcer Anand Sami Pil-
lay said, there was a need for
the Library as children and
adults had to travel to Nadi or
Suva to use library services,
so the council decided to set
up its own library.
One of the registered mem-
ber, Thomas Zikar, who is a
frequent visitor and a book
warm said the library services
has really helped in his stud-
ies.
I have uplifted my knowl-
edge and studying books here
is interesting part of my daily
life now, Zikar said.
Noticing his school per-
formance accelerating Zikar
stated, this library makes me
realize simultaneously - un-
derstanding the past, the pres-
ent and I imagine the future.
The council is planning to
extend its services by bringing
in more computers which will
help in research and wants
people of Sigatoka to have a
greater sight in technology.
Students spending quality time at the library. Photo: MARGARET NAQIRI.
SEVENTY-FOUR families in Nadroga / Navo-
sa received new homes from government as part of
the cyclone Evan rehabilitation works. This is part
of the 472 families in the entire western division
that received the much needed assistance in times
of hardship.
Commissioner Western Commander Joeli
Cawaki says the rehabilitation works is still on-
going and Government would continue building
New homes for cyclone victims
homes for those affected.
At the moment we have opened 472 homes in the west-
ern division however, the contractors and the Republic of Fiji
Military Forces continue to build other homes and we hope to
give new homes to those affected, Commander Cawaki said.
Government has spent more than $4 million dollars in the
rehabilitation of homes.
LOCAL NEWS
3R ofcer Ashnil Sharma and JICA Volunteer Koki Takano
introducing 3R ideas at Sigatoka Special School.
School kids
introduced
to 3R
By KOKI TAKANO - JICA Volunteer
There is no doubt that Sigatoka is a suitable place to learn about
environment. We have rich forest, sandy beaches; mangroves and
many of these kinds of natural resources.
We all know the use of these resources for tourism, primary in-
dustry and other purposes. However, we actually do not know how
we can manage and preserve our natural environment and this is the
theme of my essay.
Environmental education aims to empower and encourage peo-
ple to take care of natural environment and also their surroundings.
Recently, Sigatoka Town Council and I have started to conduct en-
vironmental classes at ten primary schools in the town area. We
are going around to two or three schools a week and encourage
them to act for environment such as promotion of waste separation,
making compost manure and art and crafts using waste materials.
These practices are part of school environmental awareness pro-
gram which is called Sigatoka Clean School Program. So what is
this program and what does it mean for Sigatoka?
Before starting this program, here in Sigatoka, environment
education was not well recognized by schools. At that time, only a
few primary schools had classes on environment and many kinds
of rubbish were thrown in their class rooms and school compounds.
Why dont schools teach their students about environmental like
other subjects such as English, Mathematics and P.E.? I have been
wondering about it since I came to Fiji six month ago.
However the situation has changed since 2012. In that year, Si-
gatoka Town Council had introduced the Clean School Program
which is a project aimed to raise awareness among primary school
students and had started to teach them with assistance of JICA (Ja-
pan International Cooperation Agency). As a result, there was a big
progress in each school. For instance some schools started to make
compost manure with their yard waste, others collected waste ma-
terials such as plastic bottles and aluminium cans and sold them
to recycling companies. Moreover, even the students attitude and
mindsets were also improved drastically.
In January, we had organized The Clean School Committee
including ten primary school teachers, Shangri-Las Marine Educa-
tion Centre and National Trust of Fiji and then we had launched
Sigatoka Clean School Program 2014. In order to reduce amount
of waste we generate and make our town more sustainable, young
generation especially school children play a crucial role because
they will build and carry our future for a long time. Once they learn
something good at school, they may keep it in their mind and do
it again and again even in their home or outside. This is the reason
that we are focusing on school education.
In the program, we will be going around schools to monitor their
practices and effort for school judging and an awards ceremony
will be scheduled at the end of the program. As we know, it takes
time to see the result of environmental education but we can surely
say that environmental education is an investment for our future.
LOCAL NEWS
Mohammed dances to fame
By SHONAL KUMAR
Developing dance as a
hobby at the age of 17 at his
secondary school, Moham-
med Zibran is all set to give
a tough competition to all his
competitors in Fijis rst ever
dancing show, Fijis Dancing
Superstar.
The 20-year-old lad from
Vatukarasa, Sigatoka has high
hopes in grabbing the winning
position of the competition to
bring pride to his hometown
and to his parents.
Zibran says that the ex-
ibility of the famous Bol-
lywood superstar, Hrithik
Roshan and the styles of King
of Pops, Michael Jackson
(MJ) has inspired him to take
up dancing and further helped
in his decision to partake in
the reality show, Fijis Danc-
ing Superstar.
I have currently taken
leave from work in order to
prepare myself for the compe-
tition, he said.
Zibrans parents, Moham-
med Alam and Hazra Bibi
who are entrepreneurs are
proud of their son and hope
for the best for him in his
dancing journey.
I had no idea of what Zi-
bran was doing at rst but
now I am proud that my son is
representing his hometown,
father Mohammed Alam said.
The show is broadcasted
on FBC TV every Monday
from 6.30 pm.
To vote for your hometown
dance sensation, text Zibran to
787 Vodafone and Inkk us-
ers only.
Commissioning of
the Rural Water Supply
Scheme at Lomawai Vil-
lage, Nadroga took place
at 10am on Thursday, De-
cember 19, 2013.
The Water Authority
of Fiji is carrying out its
role as the implementer
of the Rural Water Sup-
ply Scheme. The Rural
Water Supply Scheme ap-
plies to areas outside of the
Lomawai Village gets
regular water supply
metered urban and peri-
urban water reticulation
systems.
Currently, there is a
total of 2497 Rural Water
Supply Schemes nation-
wide and the main purpose
of the scheme is to improve
water supply to the rural
areas.
The scheme applies to
those who are not supplied
with water from the WAFs
water reticulation system
and only informal settle-
ments are eligible to apply
for this scheme.
However, 90 percent of
the total cost is borne by
the Government while the
remaining 10 percent is
paid by the communities.
The total cost of this proj-
ect is $117,500.
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LOCAL NEWS

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Fiji teamed up with Fiji Kids!
Learning for Life, a grassroots
charity providing nancial
assistance to help the needi-
est children attend school, in
Sigatoka on Saturday, January
11 to enroll 65 children that
are recipients of the sponsor-
ship this year.
Learning for Life refers to
the commitment sponsors are
asked to make in supporting a
child for the duration of their
primary and secondary educa-
tion.
Fiji Kids! Learning for
Life operates primarily in
eight school districts in the
Sigatoka Valley, on the south
western coast of the main is-
land of Viti Levu.
Children are selected by
local Head Teachers on the
basis of acute nancial hard-
ship and the child's commit-
ment to learning, regardless of
academic performance.
Fiji Kids! program launched in Sigatoka
By TALEI TORA Resort General Manager
Peter Hopgood stated the Out-
rigger on the Lagoon Fiji is
delighted to have supported
the Fiji Kids program in any
little way possible.
To see these kids faces
light up as they were given
their stationery and school
books and measured for their
uniforms is immeasurable and
it is for these exact moments
and a chance of a lifetime that
we have offered our assistance
to the Fiji Kids! Program, Mr
Hopgood stated.
Our Human Resources
department took on this activ-
ity as their rst community
project for the year and it is an
admirable program because it
will help send kids to school
from kindergarten all the way
up to university, Mr Hop-
good added.
Fiji provided marquees,
lunch, soft drinks and snacks
for the children, their families
and the volunteers.
Merit based pay introduced
at Shangri-Las Fijian Resort
Outrigger on the Lagoon Resort general manager Peter Hopgood, right, with kids and ofcials of Fiji Kids!
Photo: SUPPLIED.
By SHALENDRA
PRASAD
The National Union of
Hospitality Catering and Tour-
ism Industries Employees has
signed a historical agreement
with the General Manager of
Shangri-Las Fijian Resort,
Michael Monks.
This means the resort is the
rst in Fiji that has successful-
ly negotiated and will imple-
ment the Merit Pay System"
to its workers.
Merit pay system allows
for increase in salary and rates
after workers performance is
assessed by the workers im-
mediate supervisor.
A worker is graded within
a scale of 1 to 5 points. A high
performing worker scoring
the maximum of his or her
performance evaluation is re-
warded with an increase in his
rate of pay of up to 5%.
The new system encour-
ages greater productivity
from workers and the union
is thankful to the management
of the resort for the milestone
achievement, union general
secretary Daniel Urai said.
He said the Merit Pay Sys-
tem is in addition to the Cost
of Living Adjustment system
(COLA) that the union nego-
tiates with management annu-
ally.
This basically means that
a worker at the resort has an
opportunity to get two pay in-
creases per year. One increase
will be based on the COLA
negotiation and the other will
be based on the individual as-
sessment of a workers produc-
tivity level.
Mr Urai said the Union
will be approaching other ho-
tels and resorts individually to
negotiate the Merit Pay Sys-
tem.
Shangri-Las Fijian Re-
sort general manager Michael
Monks conrmed the new ar-
rangement in a recent inter-
view adding the resort deeply
values the input of staff mem-
bers in the success of their
operations and they need to be
rewarded accordingly.
All smiles...resort staff at work. Photo: SHALENDRA
PRASAD.
BUSINESS NOTICE BOARD
SPORTS
A grief stricken moment
lled the hearts of many peo-
ple as they gathered to pay
their last respect to the former
mayor of Sigatoka, president
of Fiji Rugby Union and the
Chief of Nayawa village, Ratu
Isikeli Tasere.
Ratu Isikeli who passed
away on Boxing Day, Decem-
ber 26, after a long illness at
his home in Nasinu was laid to
rest at the Nayawa Village in
Nadroga on Thursday, Janu-
ary 9.
Present at the funeral, Spe-
cial administrator of Sigatoka
Town Council, Jay Whyte said
that Ratu Isikeli restored the
art of Sigatoka towns history
and the town would not have
been the way it is without him.
Our former mayor was
a gifted person and also very
devoted towards his town,
people and work, he said.
Late Ratu Isikeli has served
the Stallions throughout his
life and has also served the
government in many ways.
He represented Nadroga
Stallions from 1965-1978 and
played for the Flying Fijians
from 1972 -1976.
He also served as the presi-
Town mourns
loss of great
leader and
sportsman
OBITUARY
By SHONAL KUMAR
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
By SHONAL KUMAR
dent of Nadroga Rugby Union
from 2008-2012 and the presi-
dent of Fiji Rugby Union from
2011 2013.
He was the manager of Si-
gatoka District School from
1985 1997, Sigatoka Hos-
pital board member in 2003,
Methodist Church rep from
2003-2012 and Nadroga
mens fellowship leader Nad-
roga circuit from 1997 2011.
He has also worked for
the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fiji Cane Growers Council
director in 2005, iTaukei Af-
fairs board member from
2002 2006, Mayor of Siga-
toka Town from 2002 2009,
Member of Parliament in
2006 and chairman tikina Na-
higatoka from 2010 2013.
Tasere was awarded the
Member of the Order of Fiji
for his commendable service,
on May 30 last year.
Pallbearers carry the casket of Late Ratu Isikeli Tasere at Nayawa Village in Sigatoka. Photo:
ANUSHIL KUMAR.
Teams from Nadroga/Navosa
associated with the Nadro-
ga Volleyball Association
are glad as they are getting
exposure in the country
and gaining skills in the
uprising sports.
The association has been host-
ing numerous competitions
in their town whereby vari-
ous clubs takes part, with
Essedon (Cuvu), Salad
Bowl (Navosa) and Koast
Guard (Korotogo) being
the top clubs confronting
each other in the competi-
tion.
Games ofcial, Judy Kumar
said that the mini tourna-
ments being hosted is a
great step towards prepar-
ing the teams for the West-
ern Rally scheduled to take
place later this month in
the Sugar City.
We will be sending two open
mens team and one open
womens team for the ral-
ly, Kumar said.
Kumar thanked all the teams
that have become part of
the Nadroga Volleyball
Association and urges vil-
lages and business houses
to support them in their
journey.
Volleyball
seeks public
support
Kings Stallions FC progresses
Bula Ink Tattoos and Rank
Investment sponsored Kings
Stallions FC turned out to be
an impressive soccer squad
as they achieved some fa-
vourable outcomes last year
encouraging them for an im-
proved season this year.
The Sigatoka based foot-
ball troupe takes part in the
club games which is played in
Nadi under Nadi Football As-
sociation.
Kings Stallion club was
formed in 2008 and it con-
sists of mostly Nadroga based
players.
According to the team
manager Junior Sorby the
team has progressed a lot in
terms of soccer as the compe-
tition gets challenging every
year.
From the senior division in
2008, the club has risen to the
super-premier grade with hard
work and dedication.
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Its a deal !
Inaugural 2014 Fiji International set for August 14 - 17
Prime Minister Voreqe Baini-
marama has expressed great satis-
faction on plans to stage Fijis larg-
est and most prestigious sporting
event the Fiji International.
Making the announcement
alongside the Professional Golf-
ers Association of Australia, PM
Bainimarama said that the signing
of the MOU last year was a sig-
nicant moment for Fiji because
it demonstrates that the PGA has
faith in Fijis ability to host a major
sporting tournament.
As one of the worlds most
popular sports, golf is a major
niche tourism market with huge
growth potential in Fiji, poised to
take advantage of the games rap-
idly growing popularity in Asia,
Bainimarama said.
Thats why were so excited
that the PGA is coming here in
August. A PGA golf tournament is
a major international event of the
highest calibre, attracting some of
the games best professionals.
The head of government added
that although Fiji has long offered
some of the best golf courses in the
region, both to our visitors and to
our golfers, the Fiji International
will rightfully establish it as one
of the worlds top golng destina-
tions.
With a potential broadcast
reach to more than 400 million
people across 40 countries, the
tournament will showcase Fiji as
a must-visit golf and tourist loca-
tion in countless homes around the
globe, PM Bainimarama said.
This is very good news for our
Tourism Industry. And this is very
good news for our economy.
Indeed, we expect the tourna-
ment to lead directly to a multi-
million dollar boost for Fiji, with
many additional ow-on benets.
The Prime Minister also pointed
out that one of the benets of the
Fiji International is the increase in
value of the Fiji National Provident
Fund owned land in Natadola.
PM Bainimarama has also
urged Fijians to be proud of the Fiji
Internal PGA tournament as it will
be a fantastic avenue to promote
our beautiful nation and show the
world what we have to offer.
Chief Executive Ofcer of PGA
Australia, Brian Thorburn said that
the Fiji International presents an
opportunity for Fiji to claim a posi-
tion as one of the worlds greatest
golf destinations.
Prime Minister Bainimarama with PGA Australia, CEO, Brian Thorburn while signing the MOU last year.
MINFO
For regular updates and national league results, log onto our website
Champion Ronald Singh lived up to the pub-
lic's expectation by winning the Coastal Rentals
sponsored Sigatoka Open Snooker Championship
earlier this month.
Singh was the tournament favourite leading up
to the two-day event.
He defeated Tony Cen of Lautoka Club 3-2 in
the nal.
Tournament coordinator Philip Gock said the
entire tournament was a great success.
Singh is snooker king
By VINEEL NAND
Yamacia
shines
Stallions
ride high
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
Semi Kunatani and Donasio Ratubuli
of Yamacia Rugby Club in Navosa
have once again made it to the Fiji
7s nal 12-member squad for the
Wellington and Las Vegas leg of the
IRB Sevens series.
The Navosa based duo impressed sev-
ens coach Ben Ryan and ofcials
during the training sessions as they
maintained their tness level after
coming back from the festive sea-
son.
Meanwhile after winning the presti-
gious Bayleys Coral Coast Sev-
ens last year the club has already
opened the account for 2014 with a
win in the Lomavata Sevens tour-
nament in Lautoka on Saturday,
January 18.
Nadroga has started their 2014 Fiji Sun
/ Skipper Tuna National Football
League campaign on a high defeat-
ing Lautoka 2-1 in their opening
match at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka
on Sunday, January 19.
The Stallions threw the rst blood into
the game as Peni Finau netted the
opening goal for the home side in
the 9th minute before Leisari Qalica
equalized for the visitors in the 56th
minute.
Keeping the hopes of the fans alive,
Shivan Kumar added his name on
the score sheet in the 85th minute
to seal the victory for the Stallions.
With an automatic promotion and rel-
egation format this year, the side
needs to maintain its performance
in order to stay out of danger zone.

The Stallion Volume 2 Number 1

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JANUARY, 2014 COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE SIGATOKA TOWN COUNCIL ISSUE NUMBER 5

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