Fijians living abroad who are in the country to compete in the Fiji/Australia/New Zealand/ Canada/United States of America (FANCA) tournament, were entertained in a musical concert at the Fiji National University’s (FNU) Raiwai Campus on Thursday night.

Australian-based professional singers and couple, Johhny and Naz Mahika Khan, were part of the entertainment group.

Another singer Yaseen Ali, also from Australia, said the concert was organised for a get-together of all the overseas and local-based players, who are competing in the tournament and friends and families.

“Participants enjoyed the concert and shared ideas, “ Mr Ali said.

The overseas-based players were able to meet their families here in Fiji.

He said they were thrilled by the speech of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, when he officially opened the tournament at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori on Wednesday when he said everyone were Fijians.

“And for the first time, everyone is a Fijian. We all belong here, no matter where you come from and whatever our beliefs are. It is a wonderful time to be a Fijian as we set our sights on a united future,  with all the possibilities that holds us all and for future generations,” the Prime Minister said in his speech.

He said the Prime Minister’s assurance made them feel at home.

The concert had given them the chance to reconnect with their Fijian brothers and sisters.

He said next year he would organise a group of singers from Australia to come and perform in Fiji. Mr Ali is now a permanent resident of Australia and has been living there for the past 29 years.

paulini.ratulailai@fijisun.com.fj