Tourism Minister Faiyaz Koya was elected patron of the newly formed Fiji MotorCyclists Association.

He was elected during the association’s inaugural meeting at the Hard Rock Cafe at Denarau on Sunday where Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho was also present.

Association spokesperson and committee member Raiyaz Sahu Khan said the newly formed body would work closely with the Fiji Police Force and the Land Transport Authority to create safety awareness programmes for their members.

The association, which was facilitated by Amish Patel, was formed through like minded motorcyclists who wanted to simply create awareness and form a social camaraderie of motorcyclists and their families in Fiji.

“Currently this does not exist,” Sahu Khan said.

The event, where Koya was the chief guest and a keen biker himself, saw 60 motor cyclists become the founding members of the association.

President of the Central Eastern Suva Sector Riders, Rodney Fong thanked all bikers for making “our day, one that I for one won’t forget in a hurry.”

Fong thanked organisations and people such as Qiliho,  LTA, Denarau Centre management for the venue and facilities, financial support from Hamzah Hussein and Penrite Oils, Hard Rock, Jack’s of Fiji for the attire provided to association members, Sahu Khan and his company Weslec for the members caps.

Fong said they would continuously work with LTA in the interest of road safety and motorcyclist awareness.

Patel, general manager of Jack’s Fiji’s manufacturing division  heads the Western Division sector riders and is assisted by Sahu Khan and Jason Bates. Sanjai Kumar and Francis Raman will assist Fong in Central Eastern Suva sector riders.

The association will also organise the Ride for Safety Labasa event and the date and programme would be finalised soon.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback: charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj