Digicel has taken over the naming rights and title sponsorship of Fiji's main provincial tournament, said the chief executive of the Fiji Rugby Union FRU Timoci Tavanavanua yesterday, May 31.

"The FRU's main provincial tournament now becomes the Digicel Cup," said Timoci. "And in a landmark move, the majority of this sponsorship with FRU will be passed directly onto the 12 provincial unions participating in the Digicel Cup."

The Digicel Cup replaces the old Sanyo Cup, which had been sponsored for the past two years by the Tappoo Group.



Timoci said the 12 provincial teams will each receive up to F$13,000 cash as a participation fee, providing they meet the set criteria, and the first prize for winning the 2008 Digicel Cup is now $20,000.

"This is a very important day for Fiji Rugby," Tavanavanua said. "The provinces are the heart and soul of rugby in Fiji, and this sponsorship from Digicel will be channelled directly to assist each of the 12 provinces that take part."

"In addition to cash funding, the FRU will also provide each of the 12 provinces with two full sets of KooGa uniforms, with a total value of $96,000."

Timoci said that the FRU also supplies each of the 12 provinces with 30 pairs of Nike rugby boots through the Tappoo sponsorship.

Digicel Pacific Ltd chief executive officer, Vanessa Slowey, expressed her delight that Digicel has been able to assist provincial rugby across Fiji.

"Digicel always looks at ways to offer support at the grassroots level," Ms Slowey said. "By sponsoring provincial rugby in Fiji, we believe Digicel can make a real difference to many, many people."

"The sponsorship of the Digicel Cup follows our significant sponsorship of the Digicel Fiji 7s team, who are the current Rugby World Cup 7s champions."

The first round of Digicel Cup matches kicks off this weekend with five games being played across the country. FRU, 31/05/08.