With the financial constraints brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fiji Rugby Union will be directing its calendar sales towards the preparations of the national 7s team towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The 2021 Fiji Rugby branded calendar went on sale yesterday.

FRU chief executive officer, John O’Connor, said: “We also thank Government, they have attributed funds to the team, and we also thank World Rugby who have assisted us in terms of preparing the team for the Olympics.

“At the moment, we’re meeting with FASANOC as the Olympics will go ahead. We’re supporting the team to the best that we can so that the men’s can defend their gold medal and likewise the women’s to get us an Olympic medal.

“Whatever funds we get from the calendar sales, is directed to the sevens preparation.”

Fijian 7s national coach, Gareth Baber, indicated that the team’s preparation are on track as they are utilising all the resources that are available.

“With changes in the sponsorship, we have to be realistic, sevens being the stronger arm of FRU, to develop the game here and internationally,” he said.

“It takes a lot of resources, so my job is to deliver the quality of training and competition and John on the business side of it, is about generating the funds along the Government.

“We need to reassess where we are on the plans that we have, the resources that we place to get us to the previous Olympics, we need to replenish them in supporting the programme to enable us to sustain the quality of players that we have produced over the last few years,” he added.

“We really do not know what the landscape is going to look like, we’ll have to be flexible and responsible.

“We do definitely need the support of the country and we know what it means to win the gold medal and what it represents, for Fiji.

“I’m fortunate to have one or two players from the squad, who have been there and done it before; I know how difficult it was.

“I know it was not easy challenge, but with the support and love from fans here in Fiji, we will be in a good space and be certain to put that defence in.”

The calendar can be purchased at $3 each from any of these outlets: Fiji Rugby House, On the Go Mobil Service Stations, The Hot Bread Kitchen or at any of the Subrail’s outlet within Viti Levu by the end of this week.