Fiji's World Cup campaign shaky

[Burgs]

Just keeps getting for Fiji

Fiji's World Cup campaign shaky

July 10, 2007

FUNDING for Fiji's Rugby World Cup campaign has been jeopardised as the island nation's coup-installed interim government grapples with serious economic problems.

Fiji had budgeted $A1.03 million for its tilt at the Cup in France this year but that budget is now likely to be slashed due to government cutbacks, newspaper The Fiji Times reported.

The report said an extra $A221,225 in government funding sought by the Fiji Rugby Union would not be forthcoming.

The union has received $A294,580 from the government but had sought the extra grant to fully cover its World Cup buildup and logistical costs.

Military-installed Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry told the newspaper he had not received any formal request from the Fiji union for extra funding.

"As far as I am concerned we can't entertain any extra requests as we are already in a deficit and things are not well," Chaudhry said.

"If the union wants any additional funds it will have to look at the other sources and the Ministry of Sports could find the extra funds from within but there will be no increase," he was quoted as saying.

Sports Minister Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi said he had not received any funding request.

Vayeshnoi was due to meet Fiji Rugby Union chief executive Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua later Tuesday to discuss funding issues.

Fiji is due to name its Rugby World Cup squad on Friday, after selectors have seen players in action in a final trial match.

Armed forces chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama ousted the elected government in a bloodless coup last December. The South Pacific country's tourism and sugar export-driven economy has plummeted since then.

The Associated Press

[Burgs]

Funds for Fiji's rugby World Cup bid

Wednesday Jul 25 13:37 AEST

AP - Fiji's coup-installed government has injected a further $F111,000 ($A81,600) into its national rugby team's World Cup campaign.

The Fiji Rugby Union had applied for $F300,000 ($A220,500) in addition to the $F400,000 ($A294,300) it received in the government's revised budget in March.

The government grants, supplemented by sponsorship, will contribute to Fiji's estimated World Cup costs of $F1.3 million ($A954,600).

"Government's priority is the welfare of the players and the additional sum of $111,000 will ensure the needs of the players during the preparation for the Rugby World Cup are provided for," the Fiji government said in a statement.

Fiji's economy has been hit by international sanctions since a military-led coup deposed the Pacific Island nation's elected government in December, 2006.

The interim government initially balked at the rugby union's request for further funding before announcing its additional grant.

"That's money we didn't have and we are happy that something has come our way," FRU chief executive Timoci Tavanavanua said.

"We thank the government for their input."