RUGBY fans will only have to spare a dollar to watch the first day of the Uprising Fiji 7s tournament at Lautoka's Churchill Park on Friday next week.
The Fiji Times, which is one of the sponsors of the Uprising 7s, has stepped in to sponsor the embankment tickets for fans who cannot afford grandstand passes.
"Simply buy a copy of The Fiji Times on day one of the Uprising 7s, Friday January 18, present the masthead at the gate and get in for free. It's simple! The Fiji Times will be their ticket in that day," Fiji Times Limited marketing manager Fotokalafi Ledua said.
"People are still recovering from Tropical Cyclone Evan and the festive season, and now preparing for kids going back to school, so this is our way of giving back to our readers," Kamea said.
Uprising 7s organising committee chairman Culden Kamea said it was fantastic news for them and the fans. He said the initiative would make it easier for people to witness world class rugby at its best.
"The Fiji Times has been with us from day one and we are absolutely over the moon with the news they will sponsor the day one embankment tickets."
Ledua said The Fiji Times, which has also partnered with the Coral Coast 7s, would continue to support the development of 7s rugby in the country.
"Rugby is a big part of our culture and being the longest serving media organisation in the country, we will continue to support tournaments such as the Uprising Fiji International 7s, that provide a platform for local rugby players to showcase their speed, skills and raw talent," she said. "By supporting these rugby tournaments, we assist in building the profile of the game, the tournament and the players."
Flour Mills of Fiji is sponsoring the day two embankment tickets where fans have to bring the outer packet of the five pack Chicken-flavoured Chow Noodle to gain free entry.