THE devastation by the Tropical Cyclone Evan has led to the cancellation of the inaugural Kuata 7s tournament, which was supposed to be held tomorrow at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
Organiser Sitiveni Tikoirewa said some teams that were registered for the tournament had suffered during the category four cyclone which affected mostly the western parts of the country.
Tikoirewa said Tovolea, Sigatoka Bulls and Seabreeze of Yavulo village, Nadroga while Black Rock, Nawaka, Tokatoka Barbarians and Saunaka of Nadi were among the teams that withdrew following TC Evan.
"We have also cancelled the tournament out of respect to Nadroga rugby as this Saturday there is a trial for the Nadroga Rugby Union in Lawaqa," he said.
"We didn't want to deprive players of the various clubs in Nadroga wishing to participate in the Kuata 7s the opportunity to try out for the Nadroga team. Nadroga team is paramount to us."
Tikoirewa said they were planning to stage the tournament in conjunction with the Maleli Kunavore Memorial 7s in a month's time.
"We are determined to stage our first 7s tournament (Kuata 7s) and are eyeing January 26 or February 2 as possible dates to host the Maleli Kunavore Memorial/Kuata 7s tournament," he said.
"We are also on the lookout for kind sponsors to assist us host the tournament."
The Kuata 7s is the brainchild of the former Flying Fijian, the late Maleli Kunavore who passed away at the age of 29 last month.