The Fiji International will have a golden touch this year with Osea Kolinisau and Masivesi Dakuwaqa, gold medalists in the 2016 Olympic Games, and their Vodafone Fiji 7s team-mate Emosi Mulevoro signing on as tournament ambassadors.
Fiji’s 7s rugby team made history in Rio by winning the country’s first Olympic medal, and the trio will be popular with autograph-hunters when they attend the tournament, which takes place at Natadola Bay Golf Club from October 6-9.
“The involvement of our world-renowned sevens heroes will be a boost to this year’s Fiji International,” said the Hon. Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Mr. Faiyaz Koya.
“We anticipate a huge turnout from our locals to come and watch the Fiji international, while at the same time enjoying a moment with our rugby stars.”
This is the second year that the Vodafone Rugby 7’s have acted as ambassadors for their nation’s largest sporting event, which for the first time this year will be co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
“We had a great time at the Fiji International last year,” said Kolinisau.
“We always appreciate watching the most talented athletes excel at their sport, and seeing Vijay Singh in action last year was very exciting.
“We can’t wait to come back this year as Olympic gold medalists and celebrate this special achievement with Fijian sports fans at the Fiji International.”
John Masi O’Connor, CEO of the Fiji Rugby Union, said: “The partnership between the Fiji Ruby Union (FRU) and the Fiji International is a continuation of the successful partnership formed last year.
“The FRU is pleased to be able to support the Fiji Government’s initiative to utilise the Fiji International and the boys’ win in Rio as a platform to promote Fiji around the world.”
The Fiji International aims to increase golf participation in Fiji, and the involvement of members of the Vodafone Fiji Rugby 7s squad is just one of the initiatives helping to achieve this.
“Me and Emosi took up playing golf last year as a hobby and we are really enjoying it,” added Kolinisau.
“It would be great to see more Fijians playing golf. We won a gold medal in the Rugby 7s and golf was a new sport in the Olympics this year too, so it would be wonderful to see Fiji win an Olympic medal for golf one day.”
The Fiji International is delighted to be able to share in the gold medal celebrations with the Vodafone Fiji Rugby 7s.
“Fiji winning a gold medal in the Rugby 7s was one of the most memorable moments of the Rio Olympics,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia.
“We are honoured to have Osea Kolinisau and Masivesi Dakuwaqa, gold medalists in the 2016 Rio Olympics, together with Vodafone Fiji 7s player Emosi Mulevoro as ambassadors for the Fiji International.
“Their participation will confirm the tournament as an integral sporting event in Fiji, where golf is still an emerging sport.”
As ambassadors of the Fiji International, the trio will attend the Welcome Dinner on Tuesday October 4, and will enjoy the unique corporate hospitality options on offer at the tournament. They will also conduct daily fan ‘meet and greets’, and sign autographs.
