Umesh Chand, a Surrey-rite, considers himself lucky to hold the very trophy that New Zealand, England and Fiji players have raised aloft as tournament winners in the three years’ running of the HSBC World Sevens Series in Vancouver.

If you guessed the Canada Sev­ens championship trophy only has the imprints of Fiji Airways Fijian 7s players, than you got it wrong.

A diehard Fiji 7s fan had a rare opportunity to get the feel of the prized possession during the pre­mium ticket holders reception organised by Canada Sevens last weekend.

Umesh Chand, a Surrey-rite, con­siders himself lucky to hold the very trophy that New Zealand, England and Fiji players have raised a loft as tournament win­ners in the three years’ running of the HSBC World Sevens Series in Vancouver.

“I feel honored”, he said.

“It’s nice of Canada Sevens to give that respect to the premium ticket holders who continue to support the event.”

The trophy features eagles, a sa­cred symbol of the Tslei-Watuth Nation, it represents the ability to soar and inspire like all great champions do.

“It is definitely a unique piece of hardware. I’ve had a picture taken up and close with it.

“How often does someone actu­ally get to see it up close, let alone hold the piece that 16 top sevens rugby nations in the world play for”.

7s GROWING

Chand said Canada Sevens is getting bigger and growing in leaps and bounds by the year and Canadian Fijians have made the biggest backdrop for the two-day event at the B C Place Stadium in Vancouver.

“The hype is only beginning. Remember it was the Vancouver victory that set-in motion Fiji 7s, Hong Kong, Singapore and Lon­don Sevens winning streak.”

Edited by Osea Bola

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