FRU chair meets Fijian rugby diaspora in the UAE

“The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) is currently undergoing a comprehensive transformation aimed at fostering medium to long-term engagement with members of the global Fijian (UAE) diaspora, particularly in the United Arab Emirates and the broader Middle East region.” 

These were the remarks made by the chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union, John Sanday, during a talanoa session hosted by Fiji’s Ambassador to the UAE, His Excellency Siddiq Faizal Riyad Koya, with the Fijian Rugby diaspora at the Fiji Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, August 6. 

Sanday and Ambassador Koya had recently returned from a highly successful engagement that resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Qatar Rugby Federation (QRF). This is a significant step towards enhancing bilateral sports collaboration between the two rugby nations. 

In his welcome address, Ambassador Koya expressed gratitude to the Fiji Rugby Union board for recognising the immense talent exhibited by Fijian rugby players in the UAE and the Middle East region. 

“I would like to extend my thanks to you, chairman, for considering the Fiji Embassy as a strategic partner in supporting and realising this new vision of the FRU. It will be my pleasure to contribute professionally as a Legal Counselor, providing essential advice and support through the Fiji Mission, particularly in the area of legal compliance,” remarked Koya. 

Sanday in welcoming the presence of the Fijian rugby diaspora, also recognised the presence of former Fiji sevens and Flying Fijians back Saimoni Rokini, whom he believes will play a crucial role in the new vision of FRU for the development of rugby in the UAE.  

He further expressed appreciation to the Fijian diaspora for their ongoing support in promoting the Fiji flag through Rugby in this region. 

Sanday said that FRU is actively engaging with the global Fijian diaspora to strengthen connections and support for the sport. 

This includes seeking partnerships with Fijian communities in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, United States along with the Middle East to secure funding, sponsorships, and talent development opportunities.  

This is where FRU also aims to create pathways for young Fijian players abroad, connecting them with professional opportunities while simultaneously developing a national academy in Fiji. 

Review 
Furthermore, the FRU apart from strengthening its commercial arm, will also review their policy on player representation, work on stabilising and strengthening financial management to ensure the long-term sustainability of Fijian rugby, creating global pathways to help support the development of young Fijian players abroad. Also to effectively address past issues related to financial management and player welfare, including implementing a new constitution, strengthening accountability, and improving communication. 

Stadium plan 
Sanday also highlighted a major development plan for a new stadium Development in which the FRU is actively negotiating with landowners in Lawaki, Vuda, for a 40-acre parcel of land to construct a new stadium including the construction of facilities in the Eastern Division. Potentially on a 100-acre block of land, and also has plans for a facility in the North, as these developments will directly address the shortage of playing grounds for competitions. 

He mentioned that although the present FRU Board is encountering its own set of challenges across different aspects of its development, the outlook for the future appears bright and more fruitful. 

“This is allowing us to gain control over our globally marketable asset, which consists of our players,” Sanday said. 

The talanoa session also gave the UAE based Fijian rugby players an opportunity to address their concerns and challenges. 

Sanday in thanking Ambassador Koya and the Fiji Embassy said that the formation of a new association in the UAE to partner with the Fiji Rugby was important. He has full confidence in the Fijian diaspora with the support of the Fiji Embassy to manage their partnership role and to also comply with the legal requirements of their host country the UAE, as the Fijian Rugby diaspora in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand have already registered their associations.  

“I am delighted to reflect on the success of our recent trip to Qatar, where we were met with an outstanding reception by the Qatar Rugby Federation.  

“Their hospitality and commitment to growing the sport were truly inspiring. I must also extend my deepest gratitude to His Excellency Ambassador Koya and his dedicated team for their tireless efforts in facilitating the signing agreement—their support was instrumental in making this milestone possible.”  
 
Contributions 

Another highlight was visiting Abu Dhabi and witnessing the incredible contributions of our Fijian players in the UAE’s rugby development. Six of them represent the UAE national team, which has risen remarkably in the world rankings—from 75th to 39th—a testament to their hard work.  

Though they narrowly missed World Cup qualification after a tough match against Namibia in Uganda, we can take immense pride in how our Fijian athletes are elevating rugby in the region. 

Finally, Sanday was grateful to the Abu Dhabi Fijian community for their warmth and generosity in hosting them.  

“The evening they organised was unforgettable, a true celebration of our shared passion for rugby and Fijian spirit,” he said.