Monday 7 April 2014 – Fiji’s top sprinter, Banuve Tabakaucoro is set to ink a new deal with his sponsors, Digicel Fiji later this week when he returns home from the 92nd Australian Athletics Championships in Melbourne.
Digicel Fiji’s Chief Executive Officer, Maurice McCarthy praised Tabakaucoro’s efforts in Melbourne where he won a silver medal in the 100m after being edged by a hundredth of a second by Australian runner Tim Leathart in the final.
The Bau man clocked 10.57-seconds in the final which was way outside his 10.33-seconds Pacific record.
Earlier in the day, he won the first heat in 10.44-seconds and also finished first in the first semifinal clocking 10.6-seconds. He had to pull-out of the 200m heats after an injury to his knee.
“It was a fantastic performance from Banuve, especially as he ran in a very competitive event against top runners from the region including some of the best from Australia and New Zealand,” said McCarthy.
“We hope to sign a new agreement with Banuve, this will be called the ‘Road to Rio’ where the financial rewards are increased with a bonus amount fixed to the deal if he qualifies for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil,” added McCarthy.
The new Digicel brand ambassador deal is expected to help the sprinter focus on training and competing in top international events, trying to clinch a place in the 2016 Olympics.
MEDIA RELEASE.