THE 26th Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s will be special as it will be a tribute to two important people that had contributed to the success of the tournament and the Nawaka rugby team as a whole.
Nawaka rugby president Mataiasi Nabau said the club had lost two vital members of their rugby family — the Tui Nawaka Ratu Manasa Qoro Naevo and former flamboyant Nawaka and national flyer Senivalati Laulau.
"There will be a minute of silence before the quarter-finals begin to remember the patron of Nawaka Rugby Club, the late Tui Nawaka Ratu Manasa Qoro Naevo," he said.
"Also we would like to remember one of Nawaka's great sons and a loyal servant of Fiji rugby, the late Senivalati Laulau.
"The two played a significant role in the success of the tournament and also to our rugby teams."
Nabau said the organisers were tipping the tournament as the biggest in the Western Division with more than 60 teams confirming their spots to battle out for the top prizemoney of $10,000.
He said it won't take away the competitiveness of the competition especially with the services of all top local teams.
"The weather in Nadi is fine with sunshine recorded most of yesterday and today and outlook for the weekend looks even better so we are anticipating are very exciting weekend of sevens rugby."
Top teams Wardens, Police, defending champion Tokatoka Babaas, Police West, Red Rock, Ratu Filise, Army Green and Yamacia are some of the top contenders for the top prizemoney."
"Also we have teams from as far as Cakaudrove, the Nasolo Young Boys from Bua, Veiyasana Senikau from Lutu in Naitasiri, Delasui from Tailevu North, Taki Beer Mokani from Tailevu and of 2011 champions Samurai Barracudas.