Funding for Fiji's Rugby World Cup campaign has been jeopardized as the island nation's coup-installed interim government grapples with serious economic problems.
Fiji had budgeted F$1.4 million (US$885,000) for its tilt at the Cup in France this year but that budget is now likely to be slashed due to government cutbacks, the Fiji Times newspaper reported yesterday.
no more money
The report said an extra F$300,000 in government funding sought by the Fiji Rugby Union would not likely be forthcoming. The union has received F$400,000 from the government but had sought the extra grant to fully cover its World Cup buildup and logistical costs.
Military-installed Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry told the newspaper he had not received any formal request from the Fiji union for extra funding.
"As far as I am concerned we can't entertain any extra requests as we are already in a deficit and things are not well," Chaudhry said.
"If the union wants any additional funds it will have to look at the other sources and the Ministry of Sports could find the extra funds from within but there will be no increase," he was quoted as saying.
Sports Minister Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi said he had not received any funding request. Vayeshnoi was due to meet Fiji Rugby Union chief executive Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua later yesterday to discuss funding issues.
squad announcement
Fiji is due to name its Rugby World Cup squad on Friday, after selectors have seen players in action in a final trials match.
Armed forces chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama ousted the elected government in a bloodless coup on Dec. 5. The South Pacific country's economy has plummeted since then.
Tourism, a key sector of the Fiji economy, has slumped partly because travel advisories from Australia and New Zealand warn their nationals of instability and "some risk" in Fiji.
Bainimarama has sought to discuss the issue with the leaders of Australia and New Zealand.
‘AWFUL PERFORMANCE’: Golden State were always chasing the game after failing to threaten from long range, making just eight of 33 three-point attempts Aaron Gordon on Monday scored 38 points as the Denver Nuggets shrugged off the absence of Nikola Jokic to halt the Golden State Warriors’ seven-game winning streak with a 114-105 victory over their Western Conference rivals. A dazzling display from Gordon inspired what was ultimately a comfortable win for Denver, who were missing regular starters Jokic and Jamal Murray from their lineup. The absentees were barely felt by Denver, who startled the Warriors early at San Francisco’s Chase Center and led for most of the game. The Warriors threatened to stage a late rally after slashing the Nuggets’ fourth-quarter lead from 15 points
The US’ bid for a fourth consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title came to a stunning end as they fell 1-0 to Panama after a stoppage-time goal from Cecilio Waterman on Thursday in Inglewood, California. Despite dominating possession, the US struggled to break down a resilient Panama side for long periods. Panama spent the bulk of the match defending, but pounced on a giveaway by the US before substitute forward Waterman sent a shot from the right side of the area to the bottom left corner late in stoppage time. Up next for Panama in tomorrow’s final is to be Mexico, who beat
DOMINATION: McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris took the first two spots as Mercedes’ George Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen followed them Australian Oscar Piastri yesterday roared back from season-opening disappointment in his home race by winning the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix from pole position in a McLaren one-two with championship-leading teammate Lando Norris. George Russell finished third for Mercedes, ahead of Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Saturday’s sprint winner Lewis Hamilton fifth and sixth respectively. Piastri’s win denied Norris a third victory in a row, including last year’s Abu Dhabi season-ender, but left champions McLaren unbeaten in two races so far this year. “Mega job guys. The car was very, very lovely,” Piastri said
TO FINAL FOUR: France had 22 chances and scored two goals, while Croatia could not manage a single shot on target in 120 minutes. Les Bleus won 5-4 on penalties France on Sunday overturned a two-goal deficit to qualify for the UEFA Nations League Final Four by eliminating Croatia 5-4 on penalties after a 2-0 victory in their quarter-final second leg at the Stade de France. Dayot Upamecano scored the winning spot kick in a nail-biting shootout in which France keeper Mike Maignan made two saves, sending Les Bleus into the semi-finals against Spain. Michael Olise opened the scoring and Ousmane Dembele doubled their lead 10 minutes from time to send the tie into extra time after their 2-0 loss in Split, Croatia, on Thursday. France had a total of
RSS