The Malolo Rugby Club has raised significant concerns regarding the handling of gate takings from the recent 2025 Skipper Cup competition, making their grievances public through a Facebook post. They are demanding transparency and accountability from both the Fiji Sports Council (FSC) and the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU).
According to the FSC, the final of the Skipper Cup attracted around 11,000 spectators, which, with tickets priced at $20 each, should have generated approximately $220,000 in revenue. However, the reported total was a mere $59,000, raising serious questions about discrepancies in the ticket sales and the lack of a detailed financial breakdown.
Malolo, one of the finalist teams alongside Naitasiri, anticipated receiving around $20,000 from the gate takings, but the financial figures presented were found to be inconsistent. Notably, the Naitasiri men’s team also faced deductions from their allocated share, as $1,383.78 was redirected to support their U20 team, further complicating the financial narrative.
In their Facebook post, Malolo Rugby highlighted crucial questions, including how it was possible that the semi-finals, which boasted over 9,000 attendees, generated only about $56,000, while the sold-out final with more fans raised only slightly more. They also queried the rationale behind the direct deduction of FRU staff allowances from match-day revenue, leaving teams responsible for administrative costs.
The team emphasized the need for fairness, stating that while their prize money was expected to be $20,000, it was reduced to just over $16,000 because of compliance fines incurred during their rebuilding phase. Furthermore, meal allowances were notably lower than promised, with team members receiving merely $120 via mobile payment at the finals, down from an expected $1,000.
In response to the allegations, Fiji Rugby Union Chairman John Sanday indicated that they are looking into the claims to verify their accuracy before making any formal comment. However, attempts to contact FSC’s chief executive officer Gilbert Vakalalabure for clarification remained unanswered at the time of reporting.
This situation highlights the need for clear and open financial practices within sports organizations, as the integrity of not only the competition but also the support for the athletes is vital. As these matters are investigated, there is hope that appropriate measures will be taken to address the concerns raised and promote greater accountability in the future.