National Rugby 7s team player Leone Nakarawa was represented by his brother Sakiasi Nakarawa at his welcome ceremony hosted by the management of Vatukaula Gold Mine at Theodore Park in Tavua yesterday.

This was after Nakarawa had to join in the national rugby 7s gold winning celebrations at Subrail Park in Labasa yesterday along with the other players.

Hundreds of people including school children turned up at the Theodore Park in Tavua to honour and welcome Nakarawa and another athlete Leslie Copeland who had also participated at the Rio Olympic Game 2016.

The mine manager Leslie Simmons said although it was disappointing not to see Nakarawa turn up, he was happy that his family participated at the function.

“Actually this was to support the community to organise a welcome ceremony for our Olympians. We are proud of our Olympians and their achievements and we support every sporting activity,” Mr Simmons said.

“We are disappointed that Nakarawa couldn’t make it but happy and grateful at the same time for his family’s participation.”

Meanwhile Copeland and Sakiasi Nakarawa visited the gold mine workers at their sites to thank them for their love and support.

“Nakarawa and I have been brought up in Tavua so it was important for us to meet our people and I thank the villagers for showing up especially the students and thank the Gold Mine for the initiative,” Copeland said.

Mereani Tabua, who had shown up at the park in wait for Nakarawa until 3:00 pm, said they were told that Nakarawa would make it before the program ended.

Nakarawa was expected to arrive from Labasa at about 5pm yesterday.

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