World 7s champs Fiji to attend the Qatar final

The Fijian rugby team, the world rugby Sevens champions, will be the special guests at the finals of the Qatar Rugby Sevens League which be held at the Aspire Warm Up Track in Doha on November 25.
The event is part of the activities lined up for the Fijian’s team three-day visit to Qatar from November 25 to 28. The visit is at the request of the Qatar Rugby Federation (QRF).
Fiji has won the Hong Kong Sevens a record twelve times since its inception in 1976 and also won the Rugby World Cup Sevens twice in 1997 and 2005.
The visiting team is currently the reigning World Rugby Sevens Series Champions and recently claimed the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, the country’s first medal in any event.
QRF president Yousef al-Kuwari said, “Hosting the Fijian squad in Doha would serve as an honour and place Qatar in high esteem as a sporting nation. The fact that the World Champions want to visit Doha is a great privilege within itself considering the amount of requests they receive from nations around the world.
“Aspire is the home of Qatar Rugby Sevens and we look forward to welcoming our local supporters and Fiji. Kids will have a wonderful opportunity to witness the QR7s and meet their Fijian heroes of rugby.”
QRF president added: “Fiji is a class act and we can achieve much from their presence. We already have five Fijian players participating in our domestic league and we hope to increase that over the years. We hope that this rare visit by Fiji improves our rugby ties and develop a special bond with the champs.”
The Fijian team will stop in Doha en route to the Emirate Dubai 7s . The newly crowned gold medallists wish to acclimatise to the region ahead of the event starting December 1.
Fiji captain Osea Kolinisau met with QRF officials and players in Doha on Tuesday. He was here to receive the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Award for Best Male Team on behalf of the Rio champions.
Koliniseu, who was recently pipped for the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year by South Africa’s Seabelo Senatla, said, “Doha has impressive credentials as a sporting nation and our stop here next week hopefully will be a start of a long lasting relationship with Qatar Rugby Federation.
“Doha also has one of the best facilities in treating injured athletes; it would beneficial for us to be here. It would great if we can meet and acclimatise here. We would also like to help Qatar rugby develop.”
Asked about the team that will visit Doha, Kolinisau said, “We still haven’t finalised that yet but it will be the same team that won our first Olympic medal in Rio.”
The Fijians, apart from attending the Qatar Rugby Sevens finals, and may go head to head against the Qatar Camels and mix it up with school kids giving away signed balls, caps and shirts.
For his part QRF senior coordinator Samuel Rico said, “November 25 is a must-attend for all sports fans. No one should miss the opportunity to see the Sevens Rugby finals and meet the world champions. The QRF will host hours of activities for rugby fans including passing and kicking competitions, player signing sessions and photo opportunities with all QRF and Fijian players.”