The Fiji Rugby Union wants the true value of their products and that is why there is a delay in announcing the rugby sponsorships.
FRU Chairman Filimoni Waqabaca said there are other issues that need to be covered before they confirm the sponsors.
When asked about Digicel Fiji’s matching offer which is based on their last contract, Waqabaca said they want the real value of their products.
Waqabaca added Fiji rugby was sold at a cheaper price and they do not want that to happen again.
Fijivillage spoke to Digicel Fiji CEO Maurice McCarthy yesterday after receiving confirmation that he had written to the FRU Chairman stating that they should sign the Memorandum of Agreement by 5pm yesterday.
McCarthy said Digicel had matched the offer and he said he was assured by the FRU Chairman that Digicel would get the sponsorship if the offer put forward is matched.
Digicel Fiji confirmed that its sponsorship for Fiji Rugby will make it the biggest in the history of any sport in the country once the FRU accepts its offer.
The mobile phone company had also asked FRU to sign a Memorandum of Agreement by yesterday afternoon so that it can immediately release a cash advance of $250,000 to the FRU.
McCarthy said they want to issue the cheque as soon as possible due to the current financial situation of the FRU.
However, McCarthy refused to reveal the total value of the sponsorship.
Fijivillage has received confirmation that Digicel’s matched offer is for the two products of Fiji rugby which are the National 7s team and the National Provincial Championship.
We have established that there is another group of bidders who have collectively put in a bid for the National 7s team, the Fiji 15s side, Secondary Schools rugby, Primary Schools rugby and the island zone competition.
Fijivillage understands that if FRU will accept the Digicel offer, they will lose potential sponsors for other products.
The Fiji Rugby Union is now exploring the options as it had earlier said that it wants sponsorship for all the rugby products.
Story by: Vijay Narayan & Akuila Cama
Feature
FRU yet to decide on sponsorships
