DIGICEL FIJI PARALYMPIC GAMES OPENS WITH PANACHE

Serevi joins packed house for Fiji’s premier disabled sports event

Wednesday November 5th - Nadi: The Digicel Fiji Paralympic Games 2008 enjoyed a colourful start tonight with more than 700 athletes with disabilities from all parts of Fiji converging on Suva for the Opening Ceremony. A special welcome was accorded to Digicel Brand Ambassador Waisale Serevi and the team from Samoa, who brought an enthusiastic squad of 28 athletes and 13 officials.

Digicel, Fiji’s fastest growing mobile phone operator, last week announced the title sponsorship of the Digicel Fiji Paralympic Games as part of a three-year partnership with the Fiji Paralympic Association.

In his opening address, Digicel Fiji CEO John Delves underlined Digicel’s overall commitment to developing sports for the disabled community.

“Digicel is committed to raising awareness of athletes with disabilities in Fiji and the Pacific – this is just the start of our relationship and we look forward to continuing to work with the Fiji Paralympic Association on various projects in the future.”

“We believe that our partnership will lead to the increased recognition of Disabled Sports throughout the Pacific as well as internationally,” Mr Delves said, adding that “the passion for supporting events for the disabled stems from our chairman, Denis O’Brien.”

Digicel sponsored the Pacific Paralympic Championship in May when Fiji hosted teams from Tonga, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. And in September, Digicel sent athletes from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu to participate in the Beijing Paralympic Games.

Chief Guest for the Digicel Fiji Paralympic Games is Rob Regent of the Australia Sports Commission, which also helps fund the development of sports for the disabled throughout the Pacific.

Some 17 Special Education Schools and eight Disabled Peoples Organisations will participate in the Digicel Fiji Paralympic Games 2008 at Suva’s National Stadium. The athletics events will be held Thursday, with the team sports taking place on Friday.

ENDS

ABOUT DIGICEL PACIFIC
Since its launch in the South Pacific in November 2006, Digicel has become the fastest-growing mobile operator in the Pacific, with current operations in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.

Digicel has contributed to the 0.7% growth to the GDP of Papua New Guinea since its launch as the second mobile operator in July 2007.

Digicel is the largest operator in the Caribbean operating in 23 markets and rolling out new operations in Central America. The company is renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, and superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services, and state-of-the-art handsets.

Digicel is proud sponsor of several national rugby teams across the South Pacific including; Fiji Rugby, Digicel Fiji 7s, Digicel Samoa 7s and 15s, Digicel Tonga Ikale Tahi 7s and 15s, Digicel Vanuatu 7s and 15s and the Digicel PNG Pukpuks. Digicel is also the proud sponsor of the Vanuatu Cricket team. For more information, please visit www.digicelpacific.com