Digicel makes $20,000 ex gratia payment to the heroes of the Gold Coast Sevens tournament: Digicel confirmed today that a strong desire to ensure players are recognised for their outstanding achievements and motivated to continue is behind the mobile company making a $20,000 ex gratia payment to members of the winning Fiji Sevens squad from the Gold Coast tournament held in October. The company said it was concerned about recent coverage in the media concerning financial support for the national team. Digicel Fiji Chief Executive Officer, Darren McLean says the company wants to see that there are no unnecessary distractions and that the positive momentum continues. “This is an important year for sevens rugby and I congratulate the coaching team for a fantastic start in the World Series with that great victory in Gold Coast last month but they can’t lose momentum as the top four places in the World Series qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. This ex gratia payment is about trying to ensure that the players are able to focus fully on their preparations.” Digicel Fiji has proudly supported various sporting teams in Fiji since 2008. This has included sponsorships associated with Fiji’s number one national sporting body the Fiji Rugby Union. The mobile telecommunication company supported the FRU in 2006 even before getting a license to operate in the country. Digicel had announced in May 2006 a multi-million dollar deal for four years to sponsor the Fiji National 7s team, which was subsequently renewed. Aside from the Fiji National 7s team Digicel also sponsored the local provincial competition known as the Digicel Cup from 2008 which supported the development of players at grassroots and provincial level. Digicel has also in the past sponsored various other sports federations and teams including Fiji Pearls Netball, the National Netball Champs, Suva Volleyball club league, Fiji Paralympics Sports, and the IRB Pacific Nations Cup in 2009. Digicel is proud to have been a financial supporter of these competitions and teams. McLean added, “You need to look after these world class players and we need to treat them well if we are to retain them. I feel for these players who work so hard and put their bodies on the line for the country, bringing joy all across Fiji with their performances on the world stage.” Digicel is delighted that the Fiji 7s Team has in recent years achieved outstanding results such as the only World Series title win in 2005/2006, the Gold medal win at the World Games in Taiwan 2009, the famous Hong Kong victory in 2009, 2011 and 2012 along with other tournament victories on the IRB World Series. Digicel believes in recognising talent and rewarding national talent for outstanding world class performances.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 06:19:40 +0000
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