Rural players getting taste of top facility

By ISAAC LIRI
THE use of the National Football Stadium has given organisers of the Southern Region Nines tournament a boost.
Tournament director and founder Ivan Ravu said the using of the facility had raised the profile of the tournament which started on Sunday.
He said it had given people from the rural areas an opportunity to  play at an international standard venue.
“For a tournament involving  teams from the rural areas it is so exciting for us coming to such a venue,” Ravu, pictured, said.
“It’s a big boost for us and we are so privileged.”
Ravu said the tournament was also about helping players and clubs  networking and creating relationships.
“Players from different areas of the Southern region playing in a great facility is not only exciting but unifying as there is satisfaction and appreciation within the atmosphere of the venue.
“They come together get to know each other and the relationship lasts for a lifetime,” he said.
Ravu said teams had given positive comments about the NFS however there had been some negative comments posted on social media.
“It has costed us a lot of money to hire the place but we are privileged to say that we negotiated it down to a figure we could afford,” Ravu said.
Abau MP Sir Puka Temu helped organisers with funding to secure the venue.
Ravu said Sir Puka had given K50,000 for venue hire as well as for the payment of officials, food, and other logistics over the five days.
According to the hire agreement, the tournament organisers had been given the grand stand, and if need be, the northwest and the southwest stands. The outer stand facing the grand stand has been closed.
“With what is given to us, it is great as people are in one place to support their teams, for management purposes it’s made things easier.”
Ravu said the finals would be played tomorrow afternoon with special guests including the Sir Puka on hand to present awards for the cup, plate, bowl and pennant winners.