Celebration frenzy in the works

Local Sports

Fijian fans look to the Vancouver 7sIt's party time, well next weekend anyway for Fijians when the Vancouver Sevens come to town.

The fans will get to relive the euphoria that swept their former country following Fiji 7s triumphant Olympic gold medal win in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.

Fijians this website spoke to say the Vancouver leg of HSBC World Sevens Series is special as thousands would extend their appreciation to the core of the players who made Fiji proud by winning the first ever medal in any sport.

Ponipate Nawalu said while huge celebrations marked the return of the heroes in Fiji, the sports fervent in other parts of the world were left-out of the national celebrations, added its the locals moment in time to sing the praises on the team when they hit Vancouver.

"We, the former Fijians in Vancouver will take the opportunity to extend our appreciation to captain courageous, Osea Kolinisau and  the 5 members of the gold medal winning team".

"The Vancouver Sevens is our moment in time to rejoice the Olympic gold in the presence of five returnees,Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Jerry Tuiwai, Vatemo Ravouvou, Samisoni Viriviri and Apisai Domolailai and a raucous 30,000 Fijians from across Canada.

Delta resident, Sameer Sahib says people are looking forward to giving the team a true Fijian reception at the BC Place Stadium.

He will be among the thousands who would be forming the biggest backdrop during the two day extravagant.

"We need to show our support and at the same time acknowledge the members of the gold winning team that had the world talking after the Rio Olympic gold win".

"The fans need to support the team shrug off the Dubai, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia performance by winning the Vancouver Sevens".

Sahib said the feeling is Las Vegas is Fiji's to loose and the Vancouver win will only put the team in good stead to retain the 2016-2017 HSBC World Sevens Series title.

Radio S1 Dhamaka's Sports Talk-back Show host and footballing great Ivor Evans says Fijians from around Canada are anxiously waiting to welcome the Olympic and the back to back HSBC World Sevens Series champions in Vancouver.

"Fiji hasn't yet won a tournament so far but that is not per say the boys haven't sponged in enough positives after the four legs to win the Las Vegas and Vancouver Sevens.

"Fiji must now ratchet up the pace, play with high-intensity and flair, obliterate teams like they did last year and win the overall series".