The Samoa national team will take part in the Pacific Energy Ovalau 7s rugby tournament at Nasau Park, Levuka, next week.
Ovalau Rugby Union chairman Suliasi Tawake received $5000 from Pacific Energy yesterday.
“We are thankful to Pacific Energy and appreciate them sponsoring us,” Tawake said.
“Last year was the first tournament and we’re expecting to attract more spectators.
“We requested the Levuka Town Council to improve the ground if we want to host some more major tournaments.
“The Samoa national team has confirmed participation. Tonga was supposed to come but they have cancelled their trip due to some unforeseen circumstances.
“We only have one ground in Levuka so 16 teams will participate, 10 teams from Levuka and five teams from Viti Levu.”
Pacific Energy chief executive officer Randall Vallette was delighted to sponsor the event again.
“The Pacific Energy Ovalau 7s is more than just rugby. Like many other sports it’s a place where friendship, character development are fostered and nurtured,” Vallette said.
Defending champions Fiji White will not participate in this year’s 7s as they have committed themselves to play in a tournament in Labasa next week.
Samoa: We need quality game time
Meanwhile, the Manu Samoa 7s team will be using the Pacific Energy Ovalau 7s as a preparation platform for the upcoming Oceania Regions Rio Olympics qualification in New Zealand on November 14-15.
Coach Damian McGrath said they had chosen a mixture of experience and new exciting players to the side.
“Like most of the other teams, we have been preparing for this tournament for the last eight weeks.
“Fiji is 7s country and obviously we needed game time and quality opposition and we’ll certainly expect that from playing Fijian local sides. It’s also an opportunity for the squad to perform to earn selection in the final team for Auckland.”