22nd August 2016 Heavy rain in Nuku’alofa on Saturday morning did not deter members of the Fijian community here in celebrating the Fiji men’s 7s rugby team’s gold medal win at the Rio Olympics.
It has been raining throughout the week here in the Tongan capital but that did not keep die-hard Fijian sevens rugby supporters from taking to the streets in a victory march.
Tonga Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva, Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni and the Minister for Public Enterprises, Poasi Tei joined the march and the celebrations.
Close to 100 Fijians turned up for the march, which started at 10am from the Teufaiva Park and ended at the Digicel Square.
As the rain poured down, the combined voices of the Fijian community members rose up as they started singing the famous Fijian song “Me Da Mai Laveta Na Noda Mamarau”.
Fijians, both young and old, walked through the Tongan capital as the rain continued, singing, shouting and celebrating Fiji and the South Pacific’s firstever Gold Medal at any Summer Olympic Games.
“Thank you Fiji for winning for all of us,” PM Pohiva said in his speech at the Digicel Square.
“You have made all of us proud.”
Deputy Prime Minister Sovaleni said Tongans are proud to be associated with Fiji in celebrating the great victory.
“This is not just a win for Fiji but for all of us in the Pacific,” he said.
Fiji defeated Great Britain 43-7 in the Gold Medal final at the Rio Games last weekend, claiming the first every sevens rugby gold medal in the men’s competition.
Fiji community member Sam Lala, who organised the event, said this was a proud moment for Fiji and the Pacific.
He said every Fijian in Tonga is proud to be a Fijian, with the way the sevens rugby team had gone about doing their business and showcasing Fiji to the world.
Prayers of thanksgiving were offered during the celebrations, with reps from the Muslim, Hindu and Christian sectors taking part.
Sponsors helped in providing refreshments, the tents and music system for the celebrations.
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Issued by the: Tonga-Fijian Community