Punjas and Digicel Fiji will again jointly sponsor the 2017 National Netball Championship hosted at the Netball Center in Suva on August 18-19.

The National Championship is expected to attract over 500 players and both companies are contributing over $35,000 in cash and kind.

Punjas Group marketing manager Gopal Jadhav said: “We are happy to partner with Digicel and support the National Netball Championships for the fourth year.”

“Most of our products are used by women and we are happy to support the largest female participation sport in the country. We are delighted to be part of the sponsorship which has come a long way since signing on as a major netball sponsor in 2014.

“Women play multiple and essential roles in any family and by assisting these bright, enthusiastic young women, we are also promoting awareness for health and strength among them,” Jadhav said.

Digicel Fiji chief executive officer Darren McLean said, “I am excited that we can continue to support Fiji Netball. This is part of our joint sponsorship which also includes the Super League and the International Series.”

“This commitment highlights our efforts to help Fiji Netball grow their potential player base at home and prepare them well for various international Test matches and competitions. This event over the past three years presented a great platform for our young players to showcase their talent and helped them prepare well which saw them create history and finish 4th at the World Youth Cup in Botswana last month.

“I hope our local based players will use this event to impress selectors to get a place in the Fijian Pearls team for the five Test matches lined up later this year and also the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.”

Fiji Netball President, Wainikiti Bogidrau said, “We are thankful to our major sponsors Punjas and Digicel for their continued support to Fiji Netball competitions.”

“Fiji Netball is riding a high wave at the moment after our Under-21 side finished in a record 4th place at the World Youth Cup, and I am sure that performance will inspire more young girls to come out take up this wonderful sport.

“We are pleased to announce the introduction of a new division this year, the Under-17 competition which will replace the Under-21 division. This move will set up our coaches to select players early and start preparing them for the next World Youth Cup in four years.

“We have all major associations confirmed for the National Championship with champions Suva leading the way including Nasinu, Lautoka, Navosa, Nadroga, Tailevu, Naitasiri and Nadi. The minor grade will see Wainikeli, Savusavu and Northland.” Digicel Fiji