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Sports

PCC welcomes rugby to public sensitivities, it goes down to the particular cultures
“Yet when the message challenges us, and this goes down
within a country and within the context I think also of a lot
faith review of what’s been going on in terms of racial, religious, gender
intolerance, it’s very easy to frame it in that context.”
Reverend Bhagwan says while he doesn’t subscribe to Fo-
By Samantha Magick lau’s theology—which he says has been recognised as “quite
fundamentalist”—it is his [Folau’s] expression of faith.
IN the wake of Israel Folau’s sacking from the Australian “The challenge for us is that he took a quote straight from
national rugby team and the termination of his contract, the the bible, and he put that on his page. Now you can argue
Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) has announced this in many different ways. Ultimately what I think it has
it will undertake an “Expression of Faith & Beliefs Review” done is that it has bought the issue to the fore about how
alongside players. do we express our faith in the public square? And I think
Folau was sacked for a “high-level” breach of Rugby Aus- there is a need for more conversation around that. How do
tralia’s code of conduct after posting on social media that “hell churches, how do Christians engage in expressing their faith
awaits” gay people, among others. in a multi-faith pluralistic society, recognising that there are
After his sacking, RUPA said: “This is a sad outcome for other people around, other people for whom this message may
Israel, his family, friends, teammates, opponents and all be offensive, may be disempowering or disheartening. That
associated with Rugby in Australia and around the world.” for me is the major issue.”
The Secretary General of the Pacific Council of Churches, RUPA’s work on the faith and beliefs review is expected
Reverend James Bhagwan has welcomed RUPA’s review, say- to start once the Super Rugby season is over. Meanwhile, the
ing it could help build understanding and clarity. Folau matter is far from resolved, with the player seeking $5 mil-
“It’s interesting, when we like the message that is being lion in damages from Rugby Australia in a lawsuit that will claim
held, we will support faith on the field. Where we have mil- the termination of his contract was “unlawful” and has cost him
lions of viewers watching the Fiji Sevens team sing a hymn or the “best years” of his sporting career. The suit has been lodged
chorus … we have seen the influence of the Fiji sevens team, with the Fair Work Commission and is likely to include further
by their display of faith, empowering other people to express claims for losses from sponsorship deals and other earnings.
their faith on the field, and this is freedom of expression. r editor@islandsbusiness.com

Natadola International up in the air

By Alipate Pareti game organisers
is now over.”
WILL pro golfers tee off in Fiji as part of the Australian PGA However, the
tour again? The answer for now seems to be no. PGA of Aus-
The Australasian PGA Tour says it has received no regis- tralia’s General
tration for the Natadola Fiji International leg for 2019. The Manager Tourna-
event does not appear on the 2019 schedule on the PGA ment and Event
Australia official website and the tournament’s own website Operations, Nat-
still shows details for the August 2018 event. alie McIlroy has a
The international tournament has been the crowning slightly different
event of the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course since take: “I would
it was first staged in 2014. Last year it was won by Indian like to clarify that
golfer, Gaganjeet Bhullar, and other golfers to attend over both the PGA
the years include South African Ernie Els and homegrown and Fiji Interna-
star, Vijay Singh. tional websites
Presenting Bhullar with his winner’s trophy last year, do not reference
then-Tourism minister Faiyaz Koya said the tournament the tournament
provided Fiji with priceless exposure and marketing:“[The not continuing.
tournament] has laid a foundation for the continued growth SP PNG Open victor Peter Cooke At this stage, we
of this sport in Fiji.” are currently in
The tournament was not universally supported in Fiji. Op- discussion with all stakeholders regarding the event and
position member Niko Nawaikula said the government’s 2015 will ensure all media are duly notified when there is further
annual report for the Ministry of Trade and Tourism stated information available”.
that government spent F$12.5 million (US$5.82m) to host One Pacific tournament has featured on the Australasia
the event. “You weigh that priority against our need to attend PGA schedule this year. The SP PNG Golf Open took place
to 27 per cent living in poverty and up to 50 per cent of the in May, with winner Peter Cooke claiming the A$150,000
population on the threshold.” (US$104,000) purse.
Current Tourism Minister, Premila Kumar, confirmed to Other regional countries also host lower development
Islands Business that the tournament had run its course: tiers of the PGA Tour such as New Caledonia and the Tahiti
“All I know [is] that the tournament has ended. The five- International Open which has run for more than 30 suc-
year agreement between the Fiji government and the PGA cessful years.

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