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From Fiji Times:
Major boost for Crushers
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
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Raymond Singh
RUGBY union's loss is rugby league's gain.
Provincial champions Nadroga and Navosa yesterday lost their major sponsor to Lautoka rugby league club, the Crushers.
The frustration of not being recognised has seen Islands Electric managing director, Raymong Singh ditch his sponsorship of rugby union for league.
"If my company's sponsorship for the PWD Bure rugby union sevens team can help produce Fiji's future king of the code in William Ryder, I am sure it can help raise another Noa Nadruku in league," Singh quipped.
Singh, who has been involved in rugby union sponsorship since 1994, said he was disappointed that FRU had never ever appreciated his contribution towards the sport.
He said the focus was only on major corporate sponsorships in comparison to what he terms being " a little star in the sky".
"It really hurts to see after all my contribution, being a small individual company that the parent body is only concerned with big corporate organisations. Never even a gesture to say you are invited to our colonial cup matches.
"Culden Kamea was the only gentleman who always invited me when Lautoka defended the then Colonial Farebrother Trophy." Singh recalls his first sponsorship for Lautoka in 1994 when the team was struggling with only a handful of officials joining hands to prepare the team for the upcoming matches.
In between as the interest grew, Singh started sponsoring a host of clubs teams to strengthen the Maroons squad. After eight years of solid sponsorship through club and provincial level, Lautoka finally grabbed the prestigious Farebrother Trophy from Nadi in 201. The previous win going back to 1979.
Singh recalls paying the national sevens players after the 2000 IRB series ensuring a pleasant Christmas for them.
"In 2003, through my generous sponsorship Lautoka grabbed both the Farebrother and the Telecom Cup.
"This achievement led to more clubs joining in and interest became very high in sponsoring many sevens clubs from which came atop Vio and PWD Bure.
"A host of stars emerged with the likes of William Ryder, Iliesa Nadau, David Batiratu and Watekini Vunisa.
"Also in 2003, my company sponsored the FRU's Island Zone Rugby. From 2004-2006 IEW sponsored the champion Nadroga team, while for the first time Navosa gained sponsorship."
Players like Viliame Satala, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Seru Rabeni, Marika Vunibaka, Filimoni Delasau have benefited from Singh's generosity.
FNRL chairman Peni Musunamasi welcomed Singh's financial input saying it was a way forward for rugby league.
Musunamasi had invited Singh as chief guest at the FNRL grand final last year although Singh had never contributed towards rugby league.
