Key Points

Prime Minister Modi highlighted how sports serve as a bridge between cultures during his meeting with Fiji's Prime Minister. He specifically mentioned Fiji's gift of rugby legend Waisale Serevi as coach for India's teams. In return, India will provide coaching expertise to help Fiji's cricket program grow. This exchange underscores the strengthening partnership between the two nations through athletic collaboration.

Key Points: Modi Says Sports Connects People Citing Rugby Cricket Fiji India

  • Modi emphasizes sports as a unifying force between nations
  • Highlights Fijian coach Waisale Serevi's contribution to Indian rugby
  • Announces Indian coaches will help develop Fiji's cricket team
  • Notes Fiji PM Rabuka's first official visit to India
2 min read

Sports is a field that connects people: PM Narendra Modi

PM Modi highlights sports diplomacy with Fiji, praising coach Waisale Serevi's role in Indian rugby and Indian coaches boosting Fiji's cricket team.

"Sports is a field that connects people, and rugby in Fiji and cricket in India are prime examples. - PM Narendra Modi"

New Delhi August 25

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Monday, while addressing a joint press meet with Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka, emphasised that sports connect people, highlighting Rugby in Fiji and cricket in India as examples.

He also mentioned India's Rugby team head coach Waisale Serevi's role in Indian Rugby and said Indian coaches will help take Fiji's cricket team to new heights.

"Sports is a field that connects people, and rugby in Fiji and cricket in India are prime examples. Fiji gave us the Star of Rugby 7 Waisale Serevi as coach of our rugby team, and now Indian coaches will help take Fiji's cricket team to new heights," PM Modi said in a joint press meet.

Serevi stepped in as head coach of the Indian Rugby men's and women's teams last year. Waisale Serevi is a Fijian former ugby union football player and coach, and is a member of the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Serevi is renowned for his achievements in rugby sevens, while also enjoying a long career in fifteen-a-side rugby at both club and national team levels.

Renowned globally as the "King of 7s", he is widely considered to be the greatest rugby sevens player in the history of the game. He was also an advisor on behalf of World Rugby to the International Olympic Committee, for the inclusion of Sevens Rugby in the Olympics.

A five-time Cup winner at the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens, Serevi steered Fiji to their first World Series title in his first year as player-coach in 2005-06. His most recent stints in coaching are with the Rhinos Rugby USA, the Jamaica National Sevens Rugby Team, and the Russia National Sevens Rugby Team.

Earlier in this month, India's U20 Women's team capped off a memorable return to the Asia Rugby Emirates U20 Championship with a bronze medal, defeating Uzbekistan in the third-place playoff on home soil in Rajgir in Bihar.

PM Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, marking the start of his official visit to India, which will continue until August 26. This is his first visit to India as the Prime Minister of Fiji.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Wonderful initiative! Our cricket coaches helping Fiji while their rugby legend coaches our teams - this is true sportsmanship and cultural exchange. More such collaborations please!
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Rohit P
Had no idea we had a Fijian rugby legend coaching our teams! This is fantastic exposure for Indian rugby players. Hope this helps develop rugby culture in India too.
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Michael C
While the sentiment is nice, I hope this isn't just diplomatic talk. We need actual investment in sports infrastructure beyond cricket. Rugby deserves proper funding and facilities.
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Shreya B
So proud of our U20 women's team winning bronze! 🥉 More girls should take up rugby - it's such an empowering sport. Hope this partnership brings more opportunities for women athletes.
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Vikram M
This is what soft power looks like! Sports connecting nations beyond politics. Fiji produces world-class rugby players, India produces world-class cricket coaches - perfect exchange.
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Nisha Z
Great move! But hope our government also focuses on developing sports at grassroots level in rural areas. Talent is everywhere, just needs proper training and support.

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