The Government has applauded the Fiji Rugby Union’s decision to convene a Special General Meeting by the end of February, 2011.
Following their meeting today, Minister for Sports Filipe Bole said the current FRU board will tender resignations and the member unions will elect a new board during the special general meeting.
“The decision will also allow government and the new FRU administration to determine a programme of the $3 million Government grant in a timely fashion for the purpose of preparing the Flying Fijians for the Rugby World Cup,” he said.
“ Furthermore, Government has also noted the FRU plans for the build-up matches and funding to resource the Flying Fijians preparation and participation in the September RWC.”
The Minister said the FRU in their preparation for the Rugby World Cup has budgeted a total of $5.3 million , of which they will contribute $2.5 million.
“ The shortfall will be adequately covered by the $3million funding from Government,” Mr Bole said.
He added that the FRU had plans for build-up matches following its Northern Hemisphere Tour in November, 2010.
“These matches will take place in late January this year with a match between the Fiji Warriors and the Melbourne Rebels and later the Waratahs.
“In March, the Fiji Warriors will play in the Pacific Rugby Cup Tournament and then in June/July, they will play in the Pacific Nations Cup Tournament in Japan,” Mr Bole said.
The Under 20 RWC will take place in Italy in June.
These games, according to the FRU, are all build-up to the RWC in September.
Meanwhile, Interim Board Chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union, Mr Rafaele Kasibulu said the current board has stepped down for the betterment of rugby in Fiji.
“ The board felt that for the betterment of the rugby, the rugby house and the people of Fiji, we should step down and allow the new board members to come in. We will step down according to the constitution of the FRU. The board will convene another meeting in a couple of days so that it goes along with the constitution of the FRU.”
Today’s meeting was chaired by Mr Bole as Minister for Education and attended by Mr Kasibulu, FRU chief executive officer, Mr Keni Dakuidreketi and officials from the Department of Youth and Sports.
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