Reception to promote Rugby World Cup and Olympics.
The Japanese Embassy in Fiji hosted a reception to celebrate and promote the enormous calendar of events to be hosted in Japan and participated in by Fijian teams across the next few years.
The list of events included the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic, 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and the 2019 Defence Rugby World Cup.
The Junior Japan and Swire Shipping Fiji Warriors teams currently participating in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge attended the reception alongside members of the Fiji Paralympic team, RFMF team and other Government Officials.
On his address, Japan Ambassador to Fiji H.E. Mr. Masahiro Omura said that this year’s World Cup vision is to Connect, Create, and Go Forward whereas Japan hopes to connect people throughout Japan and around the World to deliver Asia’s first Rugby World Cup, as the best ever.
Mr. Omura explained in addition to the Rugby World Cup, Japan will also host the International Defense Rugby Competition (IDRC) as the Parliament Rugby World Cup in September 2019 in which Fiji was the defending IDRC champion winning the last tournament in 2015.
He further explained how Fiji created history at the 2016 Rio Olympics winning the first ever Gold Medal and wished team Fiji well for next year’s Tokyo 2020 Games.
Mr. Omura said that Fiji Airways new route to Japan will surely bring Japan closer to Fiji as for those looking forward to watch the World Cup and Olympics abroad.
“it is very reassuring that Fiji Airways has started direct flights to Japan, three times a week which not only shortens the distance between Japan to Fiji but also cheaper to fly this route when compared to connecting flights.”
He added that since last year Japan has been issuing multiple visas to Fijian which contribute to the growing friendship between the two Countries, which will also makes it easier to travel to Japan during the world Cup and 2020 Olympics.
H.E. Omura also extends his well wishes to Fiji Rugby Union and the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians for this year’s Rugby World Cup which will kick off from 20th September.
Fiji Airways Flying Fijian half back and Swire Shipping Fiji Warriors Captain Frank Lomani spoke on behalf of Fiji Rugby thanking the Japanese Embassy for hosting the reception and acknowledging the excitement all players have towards playing in the Rugby World Cup on Japanese soil later this year.
“All of the players look forward to what is going to be an excellent event in Japan at the Rugby World Cup and will be working hard to make sure we are in the team for that opportunity” he said.