It is not easy to run an organization that depends on sponsorship alone as its main source of revenue.
Those are the words of newly appointed Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) Director of Finance Alipate Naiorosui who said the newly elected FRU board will now look at all avenues available to them after the FRU recorded a $770,425 deficit last year.
Outgoing FRU Director Ioane Naiveli in his report highlighted that all the sources of revenue for FRU has decreased from IRB grants, sponsorship, government grants and gate takings at major events.
Naiveli also added that it is interesting to note that in 15s rugby there were big losses incurred for the local competitions namely the Digicel Cup with a $324,841 loss and the Colonial Cup which incurred a $390,780 loss.
Naiveli who had served on the FRU board for the past 18 years said that from his point of view the economic crisis has created an atmosphere of uncertainty for the current and potential sponsors to come on board.
He added that last year one of their major sponsors of the 15s code was not able to complete the final payment of the sponsor money due to difficulties faced by the company and was not in a situation to be able to renew the contract.
Acting FRU CEO and board member Keni Dakuidreti said with former Fiji Visitors Bureau CEO Bill Gavoka on the board now it should assist them to find the suitable candidate for the marketing managers post.
Meanwhile, the other FRU board members elected yesterday are Keni Dakuidreti, Kitione Vuetaki, Meli Tora, Waisake Radrodro, Alipate Naiorosui and Bill Gavoka.
The 3 nominees for the Rakavi Trust will now be decided in a special meeting after the Suva Rugby Union called for the trust to be abolished.
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Local 15s competition too costly for FRU
