Digicel Fiji 7s rep Samisoni Viriviri (left) with Brigadier-General Ioane Naivalurua in Suva yesterday. Photo: POLICE MEDIA CELL

By SITERI NAVUTOVUTO

The Fiji Police Force has taken a new approach by promoting the “Policing Fiji through rugby’ concept.
Yesterday, senior officers welcomed the two Digicel Fiji 7s reps who are also members of the force, Ulaiasi Lawavou and Samisoni Viriviri and Fijiana captain Josivini Gusuivalu.
Lawavou and Viriviri recently took part in the HSBC Sevens World Series in Hong Kong and Japan.  Gusiuvalu led the Fijiana women’s sevens team to their first IRB Women Sevens World Series in Guangzhou, China last week.
Police spokesperson Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri says this is a new move by the force to use rugby as a tool in raising awareness among the public and the community at large.
“The occasion marks an important event for us as we celebrate the achievements of both the national men’s and women’s teams.
“People look up to these players as role models and we use such tools to show that both men and women are all the same even in rugby.”
Commissioner of Police Brigadier- General Ioane Naivalurua in welcoming the three players said they were proud of what they have done to the Fiji Police Force and the country.
“We thank all of you sincerely for the great work and for making Fiji proud in the international rugby scene,”he said.
“And we praise the Almighty for the skills and talents he has given all of you.”