Members of the Vanuatu Fiji Community have paid a visit to the camp of Team Vanuatu at the Grand Melanesian Hotel here in Namaka, Nadi, this evening bringing cartons of water and much needed fruit supplies for the players.
Vice President of the Vanuatu Community Dominique Luis, who is based in Suva, led a group of Nadi based Vanuatu citizens to visit Coach Etienne Mermer and the team.
“We represent those Ni-Vanuatu living and working here in Nadi, some of us are undergoing training in aviation, and we all live here. We have come with Dominique to show our support for the team, like we always do when all sports team representing our country come to play here”, Spenser, a former football player who is undergoing pilot training in Nadi, said.
“We cannot promise to all come to the field to support, because of our commitments, but I can assure you that some of us will come and support”, he said.
Mr. Dominique Luis said the gesture is part of a tradition they have developed to flag Vanuatu’s presence in Fiji, and to show moral support for all sports teams who came to Fiji to represent the country.
“Some of you on the team would remember how our Vanuatu community here in Fiji have always come out to show support, in camp and on the ground.”
“We are loud in our support at the stadium, and I can assure you that if some of us do turn up during your games, you will surely hear them supporting the same way they would do at the Port Vila Stadium or at Korman Stadium”, Luis said.
Head Coach Etienne Mermer thanked Mr. Luis and the Nadi based Vanuatu community for their moral support.
“It is not easy to put this team together due to various factors, and most recently our country was devastated by two strong cyclones.”
“But like I told the Fiji media today, we are not here to discuss disasters back home, we are here to play football and to compete in a tournament.”
“I am encouraging the players to stay positive and to stay focused. The gesture of support you have shown today is very much appreciated, and I thank you and the Vanuatu community here in Fiji for your continued support for all our national teams coming here”, Coach Mermer responded.
