From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
iji
/'fi?d?i/ (help·info)
(Fijian:
Matanitu ko Viti;
Fijian Hindustani: ?????),
officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Fijian:
Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti;
Fijian Hindustani: ????? ?????
???? ???????[citation
needed], fiji dvip samooh gannarajy), is an
island nation in the South Pacific Ocean east of
Vanuatu, west of
Tonga
and south of
Tuvalu.
The country occupies an
archipelago of about 322
islands,
of which 106 are permanently inhabited, and 522
islets.
The two major islands,
Viti Levu and
Vanua Levu, account for 87% of the population.
[edit]
Etymology
Fiji's main island is known as Viti Levu and it is from this that
the name "Fiji" is derived, through the pronunciation of their
island neighbours in Tonga. Its emergence was best described as
follows:
Fijians first impressed themselves on European consciousness
through the writings of the members of the expeditions of
Cook who met them in Tonga. They were described as
formidable warriors and ferocious cannibals, builders of the
finest vessels in the Pacific, but not great sailors. They
inspired awe amongst the Tongans, and all their Manufactures,
especially bark cloth and clubs, were highly esteemed and much
in demand. They called their home Viti, but the Tongans called
it Fisi, and it was by this foreign pronunciation, Fiji, first
promulgated by Captain James Cook, that these islands are now
known.[3]
[edit]
History
The first people of Fiji arrived long before contact with
European explorers in the seventeenth century. Pottery excavated
from Fijian towns shows that Fiji was settled before or around
3500-1000 BC, although the question of Pacific migration still
lingers.It is believed that the
Lapita
people or the ancestors of the
Polynesians settled the islands first but not much is known of
what became of them after the
Melanesians arrived but they may have had some influence on the
new culture and archaeological evidence shows that they would have
then moved on to
Tonga,
Samoa
and
Hawai'i.
The first settlements in Fiji were started by voyaging traders
and settlers from the west about 3500 years ago.
Lapita
pottery shards have been found at numerous excavations around the
country. Fijians have aspects of their culture that is similar to
Melanesian culture to the western Pacific but has a stronger
connection to the older polynesian cultures such as those of Samoa
and Tonga. Trade between these three nations long before European
contact is quite obvious with Canoes made from native Fijian trees
found in Tonga and Tongan words being part of the language of the
Lau group of islands. Pots made in Fiji have been found in Samoa and
even the
Marquesas Islands. For most of its history, across 1000
kilometres from east to west, Fiji has been a nation of many
Languages; often people were unable to understand conversations of
others. Nothing was static in Fiji. It was a history of settlement
but also of mobility. Over the centuries, a unique Fijian culture
developed. Constant warfare and cannibalism between warring tribes
was quite rampant and very much part of everyday life. Fijians today
regard those times as "na gauna ni tevoro" (time of the devil). The
ferocity of the cannibal lifestyle deterred European sailors from
going near Fijian waters, giving Fiji the name Cannibal Isles, in
turn Fiji was unknown to the rest of the outside world.[4]
The
Dutch explorer
Abel Tasman visited Fiji in 1643 while looking for the Great
Southern Continent.[5]
It was not until the nineteenth century, however, that Europeans
settled the islands permanently.[6]
The first European settlers to Fiji were Beachcombers, missionaries,
whalers and those engaged in the then booming
sandalwood and beche-de-mer trade.
Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau was a Fijian chief and warlord from
the island of Bau, off the eastern coast of Viti Levu, who united
part of Fiji's warring tribes under his leadership. He then styled
himself as King of Fiji or Tui Viti and then to Vunivalu
or Protector after the Cession of Fiji to Great Britain. The islands
came under British control as a colony in 1874, and the British
brought over Indian contract labourers to work on the sugar
plantations as the then Governor and also the first governor of
Fiji,
Arthur Charles Hamilton-Gordon/a>, adopted a policy disallowing the
use of native labour and no interference in their culture and way of
life.
Fiji was granted independence in 1970. Democratic rule was
interrupted by two
military coups in 1987 because the government was perceived as
dominated by the
Indo-Fijian (Indian) community. The second 1987 coup saw the
British monarchy and the
Governor General replaced by a non-executive President, and the
country changed the long form of its name from Dominion of Fiji
to Republic of Fiji (and to Republic of the Fiji Islands
in 1997). The coups and accompanying civil unrest contributed to
heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic
difficulties but ensured that Melanesians became the majority.[citation
needed]
In 1990, the new Constitution institutionalised the ethnic Fijian
domination of the political system. The
Group Against Racial Discrimination (GARD) was formed to oppose
the unilaterally imposed constitution and restore the 1970
constitution.
Sitiveni Rabuka, the Lieutenant Colonel who carried out the 1987
coup became
Prime Minister in 1992, following elections held under the new
constitution. Three years later, Rabuka established the
Constitutional Review Commission, which in 1997 led to a new
Constitution, which was supported by most leaders of the indigenous
Fijian and Indo-Fijian communities. Fiji is re-admitted to the
Commonwealth of Nations.
The new millennium brought along
another coup, instigated by
George Speight, that effectively toppled the government of
Mahendra Chaudhry, who became Prime Minister following the 1997
constitution. Commodore
Frank Bainimarama assumed executive power after the resignation,
possibly forced, of President Mara. Fiji was rocked by
two mutinies at Suva's Queen Elizabeth Barracks, later in 2000
when rebel soldiers went on the rampage. The
High Court ordered the reinstatement of the constitution, and in
September 2001, a general election was held to restore democracy,
which was won by interim Prime Minister
Laisenia Qarase's
Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party.[citation
needed]
In 2005, amid much controversy, the Qarase government proposed a
Reconciliation and Unity Commission, with power to recommend
compensation for victims of the 2000 coup, and amnesty for its
perpetrators. However, the military strongly opposed this bill,
especially the army's commander, Frank Bainimarama. He agreed with
detractors who said that it was a sham to grant amnesty to
supporters of the present government who played roles in the coup.
His attack on the legislation, which continued unremittingly
throughout May and into June and July, further strained his already
tense relationship with the government. In late November 2006 and
early December 2006, Bainimarama was instrumental in the
2006 Fijian coup d'état. Bainimarama handed down a list of
demands to Qarase after a bill was put forward to parliament, part
of which would have offered pardons to participants in the 2000 coup
attempt. He gave Qarase an ultimatum date of 4 December to accede to
these demands or to resign from his post. Qarase adamantly refused
to either concede or resign and on 5 December President, Ratu Josefa
Iloilo, was said to have signed a legal order dissolving Parliament
after meeting with Bainimarama.
In April 2009, the
Fiji Court of Appeal ruled that the 2006 coup had been illegal.
This began the
2009 Fijian constitutional crisis. President Iloilo abrogated
the constitution, removed all office holders under the Constitution
including all judges and the Governover of the Central Bank. He then
reappointed Bainimarama as Prime Minister under his "New Order" and
imposed a "Public Emergency Regulation" limiting internal travel and
allowing press censorship.
For a country of its size, Fiji has a large armed forces, and has
been a
major contributor to
UN peacekeeping missions in various parts of the world. In
addition, a significant number of former military personnel have
served in the lucrative security sector in Iraq following the 2003
US-led invasion.[citation
needed]
[edit]
Politics
Politics of Fiji normally take place in the framework of a
parliamentary
representative democratic
republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Fiji is the
head of government, the President the
head of state, and of a multi-party system.
Executive power is exercised by the government.
Legislative power is vested in both the
government and the
Parliament of Fiji. The
Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
Since independence there have been four coups in Fiji, two in
1987, one in
2000 and one in late 2006. The military has been either ruling
directly, or heavily influencing governments since 1987.
[edit]
2006 Military takeover
Citing corruption in the government, Commodore
Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, Commander of the Republic of
Fiji Military Forces, staged a military takeover on December 5, 2006
against the Prime Minister that he himself had installed after the
2000 coup. There had been two military coups in 1987 and one in 2000
when the military had taken over from elected governments led by or
dominated by Indo Fijians. On this occasion the military took over
from an indigenous Fijian government which it alleged was corrupt
and racist. The commodore took over the powers of the presidency and
dissolved the parliament, paving the way for the military to
continue the take over.
The coup was the culmination of weeks of speculation following
conflict between the elected Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, and
Commodore Bainimarama. Bainamarama had repeatedly issued demands and
deadlines to the Prime Minister. At particular issue was previously
pending legislation to pardon those involved in the 2000 coup.
Despite intervention to reconcile the parties by the President, Vice
President and Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand there was
no willingness to make concessions on either side. This therefore
failed to resolve the crisis.
Bainimarama named
Jona Senilagakali caretaker Prime Minister. The next week
Bainimarama said he would ask the Great Council of Chiefs to restore
executive powers to President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo.[7]
On December 6, Bainimarama declared a
state of emergency, and warned that he would not tolerate any
violence or unrest.
Following the coup, the
Commonwealth of Nations held an emergency meeting in London,
where they declared Fiji's membership had been suspended. On
December 9, the military rulers advertised for positions in the
Government, including cabinet posts, in a national newspaper. They
stated people wishing to apply must be "of outstanding character",
have no criminal record, and never have been bankrupt.[8]
Also on December 9 the
IFNA withdrew the right of Fiji to host the
2007 World Netball Championships as a consequence of the
Military takeover. The withdrawal is expected to have a significant
impact in Fiji due to the popularity of the sport.
On January 4, 2007, the military announced that it was restoring
executive power to President Iloilo,[9]
who made a broadcast endorsing the actions of the military.[10]
The next day, Iloilo named Bainimarama as the interim Prime
Minister,[11]
indicating that the Military was still effectively in control.
In the wake of the take over, reports have emerged of
intimidation of some of those critical of the interim regime. It is
alleged that two individuals have died in military custody since
December 2006. These deaths have been investigated and suspects
charged but not yet brought to court.
Following ongoing criticism from neighbours, specifically
Australia and New Zealand, the New Zealand High Commissioner Michael
Green was expelled from Fiji in mid June 2007, in the aftermath of
restrictive emergency regulations having been lifted (recognised as
a generally positive development by outside observers).
On 6 September 2007,
Commodore
Frank Bainimarama said Fiji's
military had again declared a state of emergency as he believed
ousted Prime Minister
Laisenia Qarase was engaged in destabilization efforts when he
returned to Suva after 8 months of exile on his home island
Vanuabalavu in
Lau.
Elections were tentatively set for March 2009.[12]
The interim Government set-up an anti-corruption Commission which
have received numerous complaints and allegations, there have also
been a number of high profile dismissals from government and
associated industry. The anti-corruption body however, has yet to
successfully prosecute anyone for alleged corruption.
During November 2007 there were a number of people brought in for
questioning in regard to an assassination plot directed at the
Interim Prime Minister, senior army officers and members of the
Interim Cabinet.
On April 9, 2009, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court
decision that Bainimarama's take-over of Qarase's government was
legal, and declared the Interim Government illegal. Bainimarama
agreed to step down as Interim PM immediately, along with his
government, and President Iloilo was to appoint "a distinguished
person independent of the parties to this litigation as caretaker
Prime Minister, ..... to direct the issuance of writs for an
election ..."
On April 10, 2009, President Iloilo
suspended the Constitution of Fiji, dismissed the Court of
Appeal and, in his own words, "appoint[ed] [him]self as the Head of
the State of Fiji under a new legal order".[13]
As President, Iloilo had been Head of State prior to his abrogation
of the Constitution, but that position had been determined by the
Constitution itself. The "new legal order" did not depend on the
Constitution, thus requiring a "reappointment" of the Head of State.
"You will agree with me that this is the best way forward for our
beloved Fiji", he said. Bainimarama was re-appointed as Interim
Prime Minister; he, in turn, re-instated his previous Cabinet.
On May 1, 2009, Fiji became the first nation to ever be suspended
from the
Pacific Islands Forum for its failure to hold democratic
elections by that date.
[edit]
Demographics
[edit]
Ethnic groups
The population of Fiji is mostly made up of
native Fijians, who are
Melanesians (54.3%), although a few also have
Polynesian ancestry, and
Indo-Fijians (38.1%), descendants of Indian contract labourers
brought to the islands by the
British in the nineteenth century. Most of these Indo-Fijians
are or are descendants of
Bhojpuri-speaking
Biharis. The percentage of the population of
Indian
descent has declined significantly over the last two decades due to
migration for various reasons. There is also a small but significant
group of descendants of indentured labourers from
Solomon Islands.
About 1.2% are
Rotuman — natives of Rotuma Island, whose culture has more in
common with countries such as
Tonga
or Samoa
than with the rest of Fiji. There are also small, but economically
significant, groups of
Europeans,
Chinese and other Pacific island minorities. The total
membership of other ethnic groups of Pacific Islanders is about
7300. Tongans, who as traders and warriors have lived in Fiji for
hundreds of years, form the largest part of this community. In the
old days there was active commerce between Tonga and Fiji, and later
in the history of this relationship the Fijians in the Lau Islands
became vassals to the King of Tonga. One particular reason Tongans
and Samoans came to Fiji was to build drua (large double-hulled
canoes) which they couldn’t build on their own islands because of
the lack of proper timber.
Relationships between ethnic Fijians and Indo-Fijians at a
political level have often been strained, and the tension between
the two communities has dominated politics in the islands for the
past generation. The level of tension varies between different
regions of the country. There are also good indications of racial
harmony with the recognition of cultural and religious
holidays by all races in Fiji.[citation
needed]
[edit]
Demonym
Within Fiji, the term "Fijian" refers solely to
indigenous Fijians; it denotes an ethnicity, not a nationality.
Constitutionally, citizens of Fiji are referred to as "Fiji
Islanders" though the term "Fiji Nationals" is used for official
purposes. In August 2008, shortly before the proposed
People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress was due to be
released to the public, it was announced that it recommended a
change in the name of Fiji's citizens. If the proposal were adopted,
all citizens of Fiji, whatever their ethnicity, would be called
"Fijians". The proposal would change the English name of indigenous
Fijians from "Fijians" to itaukei, the
Fijian word for indigenous Fijians.[14]
Deposed Prime Minister
Laisenia Qarase reacted by stating that the name "Fijian"
belonged exclusively to indigenous Fijians, and that he would oppose
any change in legislation enabling non-indigenous Fijians to use it.[15]
The
Methodist Church, to which a large majority of indigenous
Fijians belong, also reacted strongly to the proposal, stating that
allowing any Fiji citizen to call themselves "Fijian" would be
"daylight robbery" inflicted on the indigenous population.[16]
In an address to the nation during the
constitutional crisis of April 2009, military leader and interim
Prime Minister
Voreqe Bainimarama, who has been at the forefront of the attempt
to change the definition of "Fijian", stated:
- "I know we all have our different ethnicities, our
different cultures and we should, we must, celebrate our
diversity and richness. However, at the same time we are all
Fijians. We are all equal citizens. We must all be loyal to
Fiji; we must be patriotic; we must put Fiji first."[17]
[edit]
Religion
Religion is one of the primary differences between indigenous
Fijians and Indo-Fijians, with the former overwhelmingly Christian
(97.2% at the 1996
census),
and the latter mostly
Hindu
(70.7%) and
Muslim
(17.9%).[citation
needed] The
CIA world factbook states: Christian 64.5% (Methodist 34.6%,
Roman Catholic 9.1%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist
3.9%, Anglican 0.8%, other 10.4%), Hindu 27.9%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh
0.3%, other or unspecified 0.3%, none 0.7% (2007 census).
The largest Christian denomination is the
Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma. With 36.2% of the total
population (including almost two-thirds of ethnic Fijians), its
share of the population is higher in Fiji than in any other nation.
Roman Catholics (8.9%), the
Assemblies of God (4%), the
Seventh-day Adventists (2.9%) and
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
(2.2%), also are significant. The LDS Suva Temple is the 91st temple
of the church in operation. Fiji also is the base for the Anglican
Diocese of Polynesia (part of the
Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia). These
and other denominations also have small numbers of Indo-Fijian
members; Christians of all kinds comprise 6.1% of the Indo-Fijian
population. Much major Roman Catholic missionary activity was
conducted through the
Vicariate Apostolic of Fiji, which has since been renamed the
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Suva, which spans the whole of Fiji.[citation
needed]
Hindus belong mostly to the
Sanatan sect (74.3% of all Hindus) or else are unspecified
(22%). The small
Arya Samaj sect claims the membership of some 3.7% of all Hindus
in Fiji. Muslims are mostly
Sunni (59.7%) and
Shia (36.7%), with an
Ahmadiyya minority (3.6%) regarded as
heretical by more orthodox Muslims. The
Sikh
religion comprises 0.9% of the Indo-Fijian population, or 0.4% of
the national population in Fiji. Their ancestors came from the
Punjab region of India. The
Bahá'í Faith has over 21
Local Spiritual Assemblies throughout Fiji and Baha'is live in
more than 80 localities.[18]
The first Baha'i in the islands was a New Zealander who arrived in
1924.[18]
There is also a small Jewish population. Every year the Israeli
Embassy organises a Passover celebration with approximately 100
people attending.[citation
needed]
[edit]
Political divisions
Map of the divisions of Fiji
Fiji is divided into Four Major Divisions:
These divisions are further divided into 14 provinces. The
Fourteen Provinces of Fiji:
- Ba
- Bua
- Cakaudrove
- Kadavu
- Lau
- Lomaiviti
- Macuata
- Nadroga-Navosa
- Namosi
- Naitasiri
- Ra
- Rewa
- Serua
- Tailevu
Fiji was also divided into 3 Confederacies or Governments during
the reign of Cakobau, though these are not considered political
divisions, they are still considered important in the social
divisions of the indigenous Fijians:
- The Burebasaga Confederacy
- The Kubuna Confederacy
- The Tovata Confederacy
[edit]
Geography
Fiji covers a total area of some 194 000 square kilometres of
which around 10% is land.
Fiji is the hub of the South West Pacific, midway between
Vanuatu and the
Kingdom of Tonga. The archipelego is located between 176° 53'
east and 178° 12' west. The 180° meridian runs through
Taveuni but the International Dateline is bent convieniently to
give uniform time to all of the Fiji group. With the exception of
Rotuma, the Fiji group lies between 15° 42' and 20° 02' south.
Rotuma is located 400 kilometres north of the group, 670 km from
Suva, 12° 30' south of the equator.
Fiji consists of 322 islands (of which 106 are inhabited) and 522
smaller islets. The two most important islands are Viti Levu and
Vanua Levu. The islands are mountainous, with peaks up to 1,300
metres (4,250 ft), and covered with thick tropical forests. Viti
Levu hosts the capital city of Suva, and is home to nearly three
quarters of the population. Other important towns include
Nadi (the location of the international airport), and the second
city -Lautoka
(the location of a large sugar mill and a seaport). The main towns
on Vanua Levu are
Labasa
and
Savusavu. Other islands and island groups include
Taveuni and
Kadavu
(the third and fourth largest islands respectively), the
Mamanuca Group (just outside Nadi) and
Yasawa Group, which are popular
tourist destinations, the
Lomaiviti Group, outside of Suva, and the remote
Lau Group.
Rotuma,
some 500 kilometres (310 mi) north of the archipelago, has a
special administrative status in Fiji. Fiji's nearest neighbour
is Tonga. The climate in Fiji is tropical and warm most of the year
round.
[edit]
Economy
Fiji, endowed with forest,
mineral, and fish resources, is one of the more developed of the
Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence
sector. Natural resources include timber, fish, gold, copper,
offshore oil potential, hydropower. Fiji experienced a period of
rapid growth in the 1960s and 1970s but stagnated in the 1980s. The
coup of 1987 caused further contraction. Economic liberalization in
the years following the coup created a boom in the garment industry
and a steady growth rate despite growing uncertainty of land tenure
in the
sugar industry. The expiration of leases for sugar cane farmers
(along with reduced farm and factory efficiency) has led to a
decline in sugar production despite a subsidized price. Subsidies
for sugar have been provided by the
EU and Fiji has been the second largest beneficiary after
Mauritius.
Urbanization and expansion in the service sector have contributed
to recent
GDP growth. Sugar exports and a rapidly growing
tourist industry — with 430,800 tourists in 2003[19]
and increasing in the subsequent years — are the major sources of
foreign exchange. Fiji is highly dependent on tourism for revenue.
Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity.
Long-term problems include low investment and uncertain property
rights. The political turmoil in Fiji has had a severe impact on the
economy, which shrank by 2.8% in 2000 and grew by only 1% in 2001.
The tourism sector recovered quickly, however, with visitor arrivals
reaching pre-coup levels again during 2002, which has since resulted
in a modest economic recovery. This recovery continued into 2003 and
2004 but grew by 1.7% in 2005 and grew by 2.0% in 2006. Although
inflation is low, the policy indicator rate of the
Reserve Bank of Fiji was raised by 1% to 3.25% in February 2006
due to fears of excessive consumption financed by debt. Lower
interest rates have so far not produced greater investment for
exports. However, there has been a housing boom from declining
commercial mortgage rates. The tallest building in Fiji is the
fourteen-storey
Reserve Bank of Fiji Building in Suva, which was inaugurated in
1984. The
Suva Central Commercial Centre, which opened in November 2005,
was planned to outrank the Reserve Bank building at seventeen
stories, but last-minute design changes made sure that the Reserve
Bank building remains the tallest.
Trade with Fiji has been criticized due to the country's military
dictatorship. In 2008, Fiji's interim Prime Minister and coup leader
Frank Bainimarama announced election delays and that it would
pull out of the
Pacific Islands Forum in
Niue,
where Bainimarama would have met with
Australian Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd and
New Zealand Prime Minister
Helen Clark.[20]
[edit]
Culture
Fiji's culture is a rich mosaic of indigenous, Indian, Chinese
and European traditions, comprising social polity, language, food
(based mainly from the sea, casava, dalo & other vegetables),
costume, belief systems, architecture, arts, craft, music, dance and
sports.
The indigenous culture is very much active and living, and is a
part of everyday life for the majority of the population. However,
it has evolved with the introduction of old cultures like the Indian
and Chinese ones, as well as a large influence from Europe, and from
various Pacific neighbors of Fiji, mainly the Tongan and Rotuman.
The culture of Fiji has created a unique communal and national
identity.[i>citation
needed]
[edit]
Holidays
This is a list of holidays in Fiji:
The exact dates of public holidays vary from year to year, but
the dates for this year and recent years can be found here:
http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/public_holidays.shtml
[edit]
Language
Fijian is an
Austronesian language of the
Malayo-Polynesian family spoken in Fiji. It has 350,000
first-language speakers, which is less than half the population of
Fiji, but another 200,000 speak it as a second language. The
1997 Constitution established Fijian as an official language of
Fiji, along with
English and
Hindustani, and there is discussion about establishing it as the
"national language", though English and Hindustani would remain
official. Fijian is a
VOS language.
The Fiji Islands developed many languages, some similar and some
very different. Missionaries in the 1840s chose the language of one
island off the southeast of the main island of Viti Levu, to be the
official language of Fiji. This island, Bau, was home to Cakobau,
the chief that eventually became the self forged "King" of Fiji.
Missionaries were interested in documenting a language and in
standardizing all of Fiji on one official language to make their job
of translating and teaching in Fiji a bit easier. Standard Fijian is
based on the language of
Bau, which is an
East Fijian language. There are many other dialects that make up
the
West Fijian Language including dialects spoken in the Nadroga/Navosa
which are unique and those of the western island groups and
provinces.
[a title="Edit section: Sport" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fiji&action=edit§ion=15">edit]
Sport
Main article:
Sport in FijiThe national sport of Fiji is considered to be rugby union (see
rugby union in Fiji), however
rugby league is also widely played. The
national team is very successful given the size of the
population of the country, and has competed at four
Rugby World Cups, the first being in
1987, where they reached the quarter-finals. The Fiji national
side did not match that feat again until the 2007 Rugby World Cup
when they upset Wales 38-34 to progress to the quarter-finals. Fiji
also competes in the
Pacific Tri-Nations and the
Pacific Nations Cup. The sport is governed by the
Fiji Rugby Union which is a member of the
Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, and contributes to the
Pacific Islanders rugby union team. At the club level there are
the
Colonial Cup and
Pacific Rugby Cup. The
Fiji sevens team is one of the most successful
rugby sevens teams in the world, having won the two world cup
titles and the 2006 IRB Series.
Fiji's other main sport is soccer and is enjoyed and played by
all ethnic groups. It is easily the second most popular sport in
Fiji.[citation
needed] Fiji participates in the Soccer World Cup in
the Oceania Group. They have defeated both Australia and New Zealand
in recent years.[citation
needed]
Fiji's most famous individual sportsmen are probably the golfer
Vijay Singh and sailor
Tony Philp who have both been ranked number one in the world at
one time. In team sports, rugby seven's player
Waisale Serevi is widely regarded as one of the greatest players
of all time.
[edit]
See also
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