Vodafone Fiji, has announced gold sponsorship of Team Fiji contingent to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The sponsorship deal which was sealed yesterday is a timely boost to athletes and team management with three months to go to the Games.

A record 10,500 athletes from 206 nations will be taking part in 28 Olympic sports over 16 days in the greatest sporting spectacle on earth.  The partnership between the mobile giant and FASANOC have earned them the official tag as “Gold Sponsor Team Fiji” becoming the first organisation in the country permitted by the Fiji National Olympic Committee to use the title.

Vodafone Fiji chief executive officer Pradeep Lal, said, “It is with immense pride and patriotism for our beloved country Fiji that we confirm our support for Team Fiji contingent to the Rio 2016 Olympics. We share the dream of every athlete to represent their country at the Olympic Games.

Through our sponsorship we support those dedicated athletes and teams who have earned the right to represent our beloved Fiji at the pinnacle of sporting excellence. Vodafone Fiji is already heavily committed financially through sponsorships of various sports in the country.

Despite this, we have made an extra effort to get behind our sporting heroes.”

Lal added, “At a time when the country is going through some very testing times after the devastation caused by Cyclone Winston and now the floods, we hope for some inspiring and medal winning performances that could lift the morale and spirit of the nation.”

FASANOC president and former Olympic athlete, Joseph Rodan Snr said, “Vodafone are already sponsors of rugby and soccer and their coming on board to again sponsor Team Fiji is something that will go a long way for Vodafone and Team Fiji. For Vodafone being a 100 percent local company we are grateful that they have come onboard.”

Team Fiji will be sending 89 athletes and officials to the 31st edition of the Olympiad. Team Fiji has, so far, qualified in rugby sevens for both men and women, football, shooting while table tennis. athletics, swimming, weightlifting, judo and archery are still going through qualifying stages.

“Realistically and for the first time, Fiji stands a very good chance of returning home with its first ever medal from the Olympic Games and we hope it will be a gold.  That will surely be the finest moment for our sports crazy nation.

“Those who conquer that first Olympic gold will be embossed in the annals of history as the “immortals”.

“Through this announcement, we assure our sporting heroes that Vodafone Fiji is standing by them all the way and would be the proudest when our flag is raised on the medal podium. I take this opportunity to wish all athletes the very best when they take on the world in Rio.  Do our country proud” said Lal.

The Rio Olympic Games will be held from August 5-21. – FASANOC

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