LRU break 65-year old tradition

Fiji Sports

Daniel LalLAUTOKA Rugby Union has broken a 65-year-old tradition.

LRU elected Daniel Lal as their first Indian of Fijian descent president.

Lal also became the first Indian to hold the position that was otherwise reserved for I-Taukei leadership between,1959-2020.

LRU has exemplified the very narratives that sports promote inclusiveness and coexistence, over race or religion.

The former Lautoka football administrator and Fiji squash champion has had close ties with LRU in the past and as a businessman, he was a sponsor for Lautoka rugby.

While the LRU has etched in rugby folklore for having the first Indian of Fijian president descent president since its inception, Nadroga and Nadi Rugby Union have in the past had European of Fijian descent presidents.

Andrew Thomson, the former Nadroga player was the president for both Nadroga and Nadi Rugby Union.

Between 1976 to 1982, he was president for Nadroga, a national selector and manager of Fiji rugby teams from 1989 to 1997.

He was the chairman of Fiji sevens team between 1993 to 1997, when Fiji won the Rugby Sevens World Cup.

Andrew was president of the Nadi Rugby Union in 1994.

Like Andrew, who held the position over 2 decades ago, Lal becomes the modern era administrator to hold the top position on the equal opportunity organization.

Lal promises to bring about professionalism, winning culture, accountability, and transparency at all levels for the greater good of the union.

His biggest task is to build a formidable Maroons side, one that could return to the major union division after it was demoted to the Vanua competition last year.

Nothing is impossible for the season administrator, who has a nucleus of former old-hands and newly elected members, join the hunt to take the union forward.

Lal’s election also sets precedence that respect, and assimilation breaks all barriers.

Lautoka Rugby Union office bearers:

President: Daniel Lal. Chairman: Major Save Rabuka. Secretary: Sikeli Uluivuda/ Sikeli Soqowasa. Treasure: Joeli Waqa/Anare Nakaunicina.