PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday opened the new DHL Raiwaqa Rugby clubhouse and issued a very important challenge to members of the club.
Bainimarama challenged members of the club that they need to produce a player for the Flying Fijians in the next five years.
"With the opening of this new clubhouse I challenge you (Raiwaqa rugby) to try and produce a player for the Flying Fijians," Bainimarama said.
The DHL Raiwaqa rugby club has in the past produced a number of players who have gone on to represent the national fifteens teams. Some are Waisea Mateiwai, Eparama Tuvunivono, Jone Vakaloloma, Aloesi Elder and Seva Rokobaro.
Former Flying Fijians skipper Netani Talei, Seru Rabeni and Sisa Koyamaibole also had a stint at the club early in their rugby career.
The new DHL Raiwaqa clubhouse is situated close to the site of the old clubhouse.
The wooden double story building which cost $104,000 was constructed by the Public Rental Board.
Bainimarama said he was impressed with how rugby had helped changed the lives of many Raiwaqa youths.
Bainimarama said in the past when you talk about Raiwaqa it was always linked to crime but lately a lot of positives have been achieved with involvement of many Raiwaqa youths in rugby.
Bainimarama also thanked the hard work done by the club officials and elders of the community in building a better place for those that live in the Raiwaqa area.
DHL Raiwaqa officials thanked Bainimarama for his support and assistance in helping the club secure the piece of land on which the new clubhouse is situated.