Transcript
SITIVENI RABUKA: It is very important for a demoralised nation. We have lived under very difficult conditions without government and it is really good to have something like this to get our minds off the difficulty that we face daily. So many people out of work. So many people unfairly dismissed and there are people who are just feeling lethargic about the whole situation. We needed this one to bring us out from under the cloud of dissatisfaction and insecurity.
KORO VAKA'UTA: In terms of the team themselves, this achievement has never happened, it's history made. How do you feel they should be recognised in Fijian history but also in terms of tangible recognition?
SR: I believe that just having a holiday is not enough. We need to have some tangible benefits that accrue to them. Our Paralympian gold medallist, who is now Assistant Minister for Youth, was given a furnished house and was allowed to stand for election, got elected and was given assistant minister position. So, for these young men who have received a gold from the full Olympics, the first time sevens was played, it's a history-making performance. They should be given at least all a house each. The coach should be given the highest honour of the land. The captain can get the next, the Officer of the Order of Fiji, a Member of the Order of Fiji for the vice-captain and medals for the others. As well as facilitating the completion of university courses for those who were at university. There were some of them that live in squatter settlements and they can benefit from the house and the cash grant. They should be encouraged to pursue technical and vocational education paths that can make them useful motivational speakers for our young people of today or even coaches in the club sevens rugby.
KV: You would also support, I understand, Ben Ryan getting some form of citizenship when it comes to Fiji?
SR: If he so chooses to become a citizen of Fiji as well as a citizen of the United Kingdom, we can give him that. Now that they have the Brexit, the process completed and their citizenship in Europe might be affected, why not give him a dual citizenship with UK and Fiji.
KV: These are all great recognition, what about those that may say, 'hang on a minute, this is only sport'?
SR: This is a national achievement. It is not only sport. We acknowledge personal sacrifices in every sphere of human endeavour. In military operations people get decorated and honoured. In sports, they must be also. Sceptics might say it is only sports but realists will take it for what it is, that is a national achievement of international scale.
