.gif)
.gif)
1.gif)
11 September, 2008
Vodafone acknowledges timely assistance to Fiji Bati11th September, 2008
Vodafone Fiji Managing Director , Aslam Khan conveyed his appreciation to the Minister for the Education , Youth and Sports and the Interim Government for allocating much needed financial assistance to the Vodafone Fiji Bati team. The Government on Monday announced $100,000 financial assistance to the Fiji Bati world cup team to prepare for the World Cup campaign Australia in October. “The assistance is most timely and we thank government for coming up with the package. The assistance will go a long way in preparing a formidable team to the world cup.
The team’s participation at the world cup is great marketing and publicity for Fiji and Fiji tourism as millions across the globe are expected to tune into the world cup coverage via TV.
Sports is no longer a leisure pass time in Fiji. It is an alternative and positive career opportunity for many talented youths in Fiji. “In fact sport is an “exportable commodity” for us”, said Mr Aslam Khan.
Vodafone picked up Rugby League from the brink of extinction in 2006. Within two years significant milestones have been achieved by the Fiji Bati. None so important as qualifying for the penultimate in sport – the Rugby League World Cup. The Fiji Bati also scooped the gold medal at the SPG in Samoa in 2006.
However, of all the achievements of Fiji Rugby League so far, none matches the securing of playing contracts with NRL clubs in Australia by 40 Fiji Rugby League players. For Vodafone, this is more then winning 40 gold medals. As a company we stand proud today to have been able to make a postive contibution to the lives of these 40 players and their families by providing the opportunity to be able to secure a bright future for themselves.
The Fiji Bati side is being managed by very dedicted lot of officials. With a focused and sustained effort, the sport has taken giant strides over the last two years. We thank the Governmanet for recognising and rewarding Fiji Bati for their tireless effort in making sure Fiji is represented to this years World. More importantly the world cup will provide the stage to showcase the abundance of talents in Fiji and hopefully open the doors for other players to secure luctraive playing contracts in Rugby League playing nations.
Vodafone Fiji is committed to improving the lives the people of Fiji through the provision of mobile telephoney services and engaging with the community in a positive manner. We have now taken our coverage to 95% o Fiji’s population with over 600,000 mobile connections. The opening up of communication channels has mobilised the people especially in rural communities in unprecented ways.
To get the nation in the world cup mood, Vodafone has also invested in the production of video sepecially for the World Cup. The song “Spirit of Fiji” is designed to appeal to all the people of Fiji and bring out the love and patriotism for our beloved nation. We are hopeful that all the people of Fiji will rally behind the team and give them maximum support in a true “Spirit of Fiji”.
Vodafone currently running a SMS promotion for the Fiji Bati side to raise additional money to rewards the players and prepare for the world cup. The prizes on offer are 16 travel and tickets to the world cup with $2000 spending money. To participate, Vodafone subscribers have to txt “GO BATI” to 368. We hope to raise an additional $100,000 which will all go to the Fiji Rugby League.
I take this opportunity to wish our Vodafone Fiji bati side all the best for the world cup and invite the people of Fiji to rally behind team and “Lets Show the World Who Are”.
About Vodafone Fiji:
Vodafone Fiji Limited is part of Vodafone Group Plc, a leading mobile communications company with over 240 million proportionate customers worldwide. Vodafone Fiji which is a partnership with ATH Group and provides mobile telecommunications services to 600,000 Fiji customers. The global company has equity interests in 26 countries and partner networks in a further 33 countries, the largest global footprint.