Suva lawyer Simione Valenitabua has been appointed as the Interim Administrator of the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU).
He has been appointed by Fiji’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Siromi Turaga.
Valenitabua told RNZ Pacific he was now awaiting the official release of his appointment and that of additional FRU trustees.
The appointments are part of the process to ensure the legality of the FRU’s existence as a charitable trust in Fiji.
Justice Minister Turaga revealed last week the FRU, Fiji’s national governing body for rugby union, had been operating illegally since it adopted changes to its operations in 2018.
Suva Rugby Union (SRU) secretary general Nemani Tuifagalele said the key was to get FRU’s legal platform in order, get the Trustees to meet with key stakeholders, corporate sponsors and World Rugby restructure protocols and set things in motion for an annual general meeting.
All serving FRU members under the presidency of former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama have resigned, allowing for the current process to take place.
The annual general meeting scheduled for April 29 was also cancelled following the Turaga’s announcement.
Meanwhile, World Rugby has said it was aware of the situation unfolding at Rugby House in Suva.
The world body told FBC News was engaged with the FRU and other stakeholders in understanding how it could best assist the union.
RNZ Pacific has sent questions to Oceania Rugby in Australia and the World Rugby head office in Ireland. We have not received a response.
SOURCE: RNZ PACIFIC/PACNEWS
