Wearing red for 'Ikale Tahi [1]
Saturday, June 25, 2011 - 18:35. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 09:54.
Wearing red every Friday 100 staff members of the Pacific Finance and Investments Ltd. are showing their support for Tonga's national rugby team, the 'Ikale Tahi in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup 2011 in September.
Tonga's 'Ikale Tahi plays the opening match of the RWC fagainst the New Zealand All Blacks on September 9 at Eden Park.
Ross Chapman, Chairman of Pacific Finance and Investments Ltd and his staff came out in red on July 24 and were joined by 'Ikale Tahi players named for the first game at the Pacific Nations Cup 2011 in Lautoka on July 2, led by captain Samiu Vahafolau.
Ross said his staff would continue to wear red every Friday to start generating community support for the 'Ikale Tahi.
He said the company would also provide financial assistance to the team and starting in the first week of July, they would sell their new 'Ikale Tahi Supporters Club 2011 shirts at Leiola Duty Free shop. All proceeds from the sale of these shirts would go directly to the Tonga Rugby Union Authority for the 'Ikale Tahi. "We hand over our financial support around late August just before the team leaves for the World Cup," said Ross.
United support
Kathryn Keki, Company Secretary said this initiative is to get the people of Tonga united to show their support for the young men representing our national team.
"The Rugby World Cup is not too far away, and we look forward to building the hype for the 'Ikale Tahi," she said.
Pacific Finance and Investments Ltd Group includes Office Equipment Ltd, Pacific Timber and Hardware Ltd, Leiola Group Ltd, Dateline Transam Ltd, Pacific Management Consultants Ltd and Courts (Tonga) Ltd.
The 'Ikale Tahi returned to Tonga on June 22 from the Churchill Cup in the UK and will depart for the Pacific Nations Cup on June 28.