Vijay Narayan
SUVA: The International Rugby Board says the dispute between the interim government and the Fiji Rugby Union over a fund-raising lottery is entirely a matter between the Commerce Commission and the FRU.
However, the IRB said should any evidence of maladministration be brought to the attention of the IRB then it would be investigated.
The IRB also highlighted that despite media speculation, government or third party body intervention in the management or governance of a union might constitute a breach of IRB bylaws which enshrined the autonomy of member unions.
It said that as long as a member union was working within its constitution, IRB bylaws and national law, there should be no government intervention justifiable and the IRB was satisfied that the FRU was currently operating within its governing documents.
The IRB said it was committed to supporting the FRU in developing all aspects of the game in the country and it was satisfied that the IRB's investment in the union was adequately managed and met its thorough reporting and auditing standards, and was managed in accordance with the FRU constitution.
Between 2009 and 2012, more than $7.6 million will be invested by the IRB in high performance programmes and development grants for the FRU aimed at increasing playing standards.
The IRB said it was also delighted to hear that the Fiji government had publicly pledged $3 million funding to the Fiji Rugby Union for its 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign.
* The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation and Radio NZ International report that the entire FRU board would resign at a special general meeting before the end of February as requested to by the government. - Fijivillage.com/Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
