6 Jun 2006

Fiji Prime Minister praises newly crowned rugby union sevens team

10:56 am on 6 June 2006

The successful Fiji rugby union sevens team returns home from London on Wednesday after winning the International Rugby Board's world sevens series at Twickenham.

Fiji lifted the crown from New Zealand who had held onto the title for six years, but failed to win a tournament this 2005/2006 season.

Fiji Prime Minister, Minister Laisenia Qarase, says the team's success will certainly be celebrated.

"We need to organise something to welcome our boys from London, its been a tremendous victory."

Meanwhile, there's pressure on government to organise a public holiday to mark the occasion.

But the State Minister for Sports, Rajesh Singh, says they may combine the celebration with another public holiday next Monday.

National holiday that has to come with approval from the Cabinet, but if you really look at it on the economy side, we have a public holiday on Monday Queens Birthday, and as you know Fiji has won the IRB circuit in England and that would be a good double celebration.