No 7s Rugby For Fiji Police
"We have been told not to play and to continue work."
Thursday 01 February 2024 | 10:43
Veteran Police Blue playmaker Livai Ikanikoda (4) makes a tackle during the Fiji Bitter Wairiki Sevens tournament in Taveuni on January 27, 2024. Photo: Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s
Local rugby sevens champion side, Police have withdrawn all their teams from participating at the 37th Fiji Bitter Nawaka Sevens tournament, which will be from February 16-17.
This was confirmed yesterday by tournament representative, Osea Ranawai.
He told SUNsports that the Police sevens team manager, Jeremaia Sotia, disclosed it to them through Viber on Monday.
Police was among the confirmed teams including Army, Wardens and Raiwasa Taveuni in the men's category.
Police have been fielding three teams in the Fiji Bitter Sevens Series.
Sotia said they received a directive from their superiors that they would not participate in any sevens tournament this year to focus on their duties.
"Our team members have returned to their respective working stations; we have stopped training," Sotia said.
"We have been told not to play and to continue work."
Photo: Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s
Discussion
However, when asked, Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew said, that no directive has been issued yet, however there were ongoing talks on the fate of the Police rugby sevens team.
“Discussion on the issue was held to review all sporting engagements and releases for training,” he said.
“While we want to continue the sporting engagements, on the other hand, we also have to look at the availability of frontline uniform personnel to perform actual police work.
“If he (manager Sotia) has confirmed it, then that’s it."
"These players are mostly our frontline officers, and they come under the authority of their respective Divisional Police Commander.
“The Divisional Police Commander is at liberty to make that call as he knows better if it affects his policing operation on the ground or not.”
Work first
When contacted last night, Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu said: “We saw that there has been a lot of sporting release, which has affected our operations.
“We do not have enough manpower at the time.
“Hence we conducted this exercise, to prioritise our co-functions because we’re paid by taxpayers.”
ACP Driu said they had done a survey on how improve their services.
“This does not mean we will withdraw from all sports, which has been rumoured."
"For those in the provisional teams they will discuss with their respective divisional commanders.
“For other sports we have stopped participating for now to improve on our operations.
“We will review it after some time – we do not have a timeline yet; this is from us the operational side of things and not from the Acting Commissioner of Police.
“When we review then we will confirm how many teams we can have for a tournament."
"We could either send one, but right now we need maximum numbers for our daily operations which is our priority.
“There have been a lot of complains from the public so we need the numbers."
“We are an independent institution and Fiji Rugby Union has no say on our teams."
“These officers are paid by taxpayers to serve so we will prioritise our work."
"Once we improve our operation then we will review it,” he added.”
Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
