The special Fiji Rugby Union Board meeting has just come to an end and the Chairman of the FRU Board, Bill Gavoka has stepped aside from the position although he remains on the FRU board.
Fijivillage News has received confirmation that the board of the FRU has resolved to commence dialogue with the government in respect to its demands.
It has also been confirmed that this dialogue is to be headed by Rafaele Kasibulu who effectively becomes the Interim Chairman of the FRU Board having taken over from Bill Gavoka who has voluntarily stepped aside from the position.
This is effective immediately.
FRU board should resign if they have rugby at heart-Bole
As the Fiji Rugby Union commences its board meeting this hour to discuss the findings of the Commerce Commission and the suggestion by the Sports Minister, Filipe Bole for the current FRU administration to resign, there seems to be no backing down by the officials at Rugby House.
FRU Chairman, Bill Gavoka who is still refusing to speak to Fijivillage News has told Radio NZ International that they are being bullied by the Commission and that any discrepancies could be explained if their financial records and accounts from the lottery were returned.
Gavoka also said the government told them last month that there was no money to support Fiji's Rugby World Cup campaign, so he was surprised by yesterday's incentive on the condition that the board and executives resign from their positions.
However Sports Minister, Filipe Bole has made it clear that the government will only give the FRU 3 million dollars for the Fiji team's Rugby World Cup preparation and participation if a new administration comes in.
Bole maintains that if the current executives have rugby at heart then they will do this.
Meanwhile the Commerce Commission has made it's position clear that it wants the Fiji Rugby Union World Cup lottery to be redrawn.
The commission's findings allege that documentary evidence gathered shows that a total of ten sold tickets were not included in the draw on the 30th of December 2010.
It said evidence of this not included in the draw is that these ticket butts are still in the ticket books.
The commission said in many cases, one ticket in the booklet containing five tickets was sold.
However it alleges the lottery organisers treated the whole book as unsold, and as such sold tickets in these booklets were not included.
Commission Chairman, Doctor Mahendra Reddy said due to this issue, these ticket holders were deprived of their legitimate right to be in the draw.
Based on the sold tickets not in the lottery draw, the commission states that all sold tickets must be included in a re-draw.
FRU Chief Executive, Keni Dakuidreketi spoke to Fijivillage News a few days ago and he said that the Commission does not know the full story in relation to the FRU lottery issue.
Dakuidreketi also made it clear that the FRU cannot do much in relation to the current lottery prizewinners due to the current scenario and after the commission search and seizure of the lottery documents from the FRU office last week.
The commission said based on the bank statements obtained during its search and seizure, FRU's lottery account has just over 104 thousand dollars although based on tickets sold and total receipts the total amount collected should stand at just over 350 thousand dollars.
It said the total prize money is 300 thousand dollars and the question arises on how the FRU will make the payment to the prize winners.
Several examples have also been given by the commission in it's report on how the lottery funds were used to pay for meals, accommodation, airfares and other expenses for certain individuals including a senior FRU Lottery Director.
Payments were made for the Hong Kong 7s, trips to Auckland and Wellington, the England 7s and the Scotland 7s last year.
The FRU Board meeting starts this hour. Stay with us for developments.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
