Fijians ready for Vancouver Sevens

Local Sports

Fijians ready to root for Fiji 7s teamThere is that burning desire among Fijians to catch the glimpse of the Vodafone Fiji 7s side during the inaugural Vancouver Sevens next weekend.

The interest spiraled in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston in Fiji last month.

Fans, this website spoke to say Fijians have united like never before and the closest they could come to embrace those that rode Mother Nature’s wrath are the players and the technical staff.

While many admit, they’ve made monetary donations to the Prime Minister’s Cyclone Winston relief and rehabilitation funds that would be translated into the most appropriate type of support based on need in Fiji, they also feel they owe the team gratitude for bringing a part of Fijian culture in the way of sevens rugby to Vancouver, BC, Canada.

They also feel it is their moral obligation to converge at BC Place Stadium to form the backdrop of raucous fans and provide the support during the two day high energy churning sevens extravaganza.

Many that had earlier taken a pass on the tournament now have a change of heart as they're desperate and are on the hunt for the most sought after ticket in town.

Coquitlam, BC, resident, Samuel Raj says he wouldn't mind paying a higher price as long as he is a part of the euphoric bunch.

"I was unsure of going to the Vancouver Sevens at the outset but now that the event is on next weekend I feel the need to go watch Fiji expose its highly entertaining game".

“Tickets are in huge demand. People are willing to pay somewhere in the vicinity of $500 for the weekend long event”.

Raj says tickets are now far-fetched, early birds grabbed the two day pass for $180 and the scalpers are selling the same tickets at $300.

"The ticket price has more than doubled", Raj said.

Jope Naitenge, a Richmond security guard, who bought his weekend pass in October of 2015, said the sevens excitement is already being felt on the lower mainland and people are in dire need for tickets to go lend Fiji the support

"While Fiji 7s represent, Fijians are ready to support".

The HSBC Canada Sevens will feature 16 of the world’s top men’s sevens rugby teams.

The fifth stop in a ten-stop world tour as part of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series starts at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver next Saturday.