His Excellency the President's Fijian Drua I-tatau Speech
October 19, 2021 State House, Suva.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Rugby Union, Mr. John O’Connor;
The Team Manager, Mr. Peceli Derenalagi;
The Coach of the Fijian Drua Team, Mr. Mick Barnes;
Players and Officials;
Reverend Aminiasi Radrodro;
Members of the Media;
Ladies and gentlemen.
Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, and a Very Good Morning to you all. Once again, it is so wonderful to welcome you all into the State House this morning on behalf of my wife, Sarote and The Members of our Household because it has been a while since we hosted a departing Fijian Sports Team consequent upon the trauma and restrictions imposed upon our beloved Nation – Fiji and the rest of Humanity by this Present, Real and Deadly Pandemic COVID-19 Virus.
I always deem it a pleasant duty, great honour and privilege to receive you on behalf of Government and All Citizens of our Sports Loving Nation when you come to present your traditional iTatau prior to departing our shores “To Do Battle” with Opposing Teams overseas in whatever Sporting Fixtures and Disciplines you are to compete in. Thank you for Preserving and Upholding our unique Culture and Tradition – our Indigenous way of life which sets us apart from many other communities around the world.
Gentlemen, in your case, you are creating another historical and major achievement and progress in our prowess as a Rugby Union dedicated, loving and passionate Nation and People who not only cherish, but also relish the Sports of both the Rugby Union 15 A Side and the Shortened Seven (7s A Side) Code as well. As you know and understand, The Game of Rugby Union is almost worshipped like a Religion by Sports fanatics within certain sections of our Community.
Therefore, to you, the members of the Newly Constituted and Selected DRUA National Fijian Rugby Team which will be representing Fiji in the forthcoming 2022 Super Rugby Pacific Competition Series which begins in Australia in the New Year, our heartiest Congratulations to each and everyone of you for ‘making the cut’ and being selected into this elite and prestigious group of professionals who will be donning the traditional White and Black National Fijian Rugby Union Colours when you take the field to represent Fiji in the much anticipated and talked about World Rugby Union Sporting Competition in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres – The Pacific Super Rugby Competition which begins soon.
I am reliably informed that you will be joined by your overseas based counterparts who had also been selected and we Congratulate them too and have no doubt that our Drua Team’s overall performance will be greatly enhanced by the latters’ talents and experiences after having played their Club Rugby with Overseas Teams at a much higher and tougher levels of Competitions in Europe, Australia and New Zealand for sometimes now.
As pioneers, I am confident like the rest of our People that you will endeavour to do your utmost best in representing Fiji by being consistent and competitive not only to Stamp your Mark as a Champion Side, but more importantly satisfy a Rugby Mad Nation – your Families and The Vanua and at the same time impress and keep the Sponsors happy with your performance and progress in what undoubtedly is going to be a Very Tough and Demanding Competition which requires nothing less than an Excellent and Winning Record.
At this juncture, let me also acknowledge and commend the Fiji Rugby Union Officials for their perseverance in getting the National Drua Rugby Team into the Super Rugby Pacific Competition – Thank You most sincerely for your tireless efforts in enabling our young and talented Rugby players to participate in such a World Class Rugby Competition which would enable them to showcase their talents and improve Fiji’s World Profile and Ranking, but also benefit these players socially and financially too.
Similarly, I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate the equally talented and experienced Management Team of Officials – The Interim Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Brian Thorburn, The Head Coach, Mr. Mick Barnes, and Assistants Mr. Brad Harris and Glenn Jackson, Team Manager, Mr. Peceli Derenalagi and Mr. Nico Andsade – The General Manager of The Team and Mr. William Koong the Head Physiotherapist.
To the Members of The Drua Team, you have been blessed with a line-up of very experienced and qualified officials so please listen to them and respond accordingly if you are to succeed in what I am sure is going to be the beginning of a fruitful and rewarding career in sports for you. Soon you will begin your pre-season training in Queensland, Australia before playing two trial matches against fellow Super Rugby Pacific Teams on the 28th January and 10th February respectively before the Season finally begins on Friday, 18th February 2022.
As you will be based in Australia for most of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific Competition Season, please allow me to offer you some fatherly advice because some of you may be leaving home and travelling overseas for the first time, so pay attention to The Team Management Staff and Coaches – Be Attentive and Obedient, Play and Work as A Team and Look after one another – On and Off The Field – Remain Focussed, Committed and Overwhelm your opponents with our Fijian Can Do Spirit and Style of Rugby – The Fijian Dazzling Flare which has classed Present and Past Teams as World Beaters and Champions.
Remember that you are Fiji’s Sporting Ambassadors and do us proud by Playing to the best of your abilities – and be Humble in Victory and Gracious in Defeat.
Congratulations once again and I wish you Well and Every Success – May Almighty God Guide, Strengthen and Bless You Always and our Beloved Nation and People.
Vinaka Vakalevu & Thank you.