FIJI is strongly poised to host the inaugural Pan Asia-Pacific Hash in September 2027.

This was revealed by Nadi Hash House Harriers (NHHH) Emeritus Grand Master president Dr Ram Raju who is optimistic of gaining good support from fellow Pacific Island Hash Clubs and from big brothers Australia and New Zealand respectively.

“Fiji has all the attractions and facilities to host international events as such and we have already proven this by successfully hosting the 2018 #Interhash in Nadi whereby close to 2,000 participants from across the globe attended,” Dr Raju said.

“Following our success in 2018, we were on the verge of creating history by hosting the first-ever South Pacific Interhash 2021 but all our plans and dreams of doing so came to a grinding halt because of the global Covid 19 Pandemic,” Dr Raju added.

“After 2018 Interhash, the idea of an additional international hash event was mooted as many international hashers had shown keen interest to return to Fiji.”

He said after the successful execution of the 2018 international hash meet, a total of $132,808 was donated to the Nadi Sub-Divisional Hospital and the group intends to carry on with the legacy of charity donations after each such event.

Dr Raju said the NHHH in partnership with Malolo and Hospital clubs have already begun the groundwork for another successful event by opening a secretariat in Nadi Town that is now headed by former Fiji and Nadi soccer and rugby rep Marika Ravula.

“We have already ordered new sets of IT and Communications equipment, started working on a brand-new website and social media handles and planned to set up payment gateways to make transactions from visiting hashers seamlessly smooth.”

“I am delighted to announce that Pacific Specialist Healthcare Hospital (PSH) has come on board as a major sponsor for the first ever Pan Asia-Pacific Hash to be staged in Fiji, “Dr Raju said.

“PSH Hospital has come on board as the major sponsor when they heard about the aims, ambitions, goals, mission and vision and we are very thankful to their founder and CEO Mr Parvish Kumar.”

Meanwhile, 20 members from Nadi, Malolo and Hospital HHH travelled to #Queenstown, New Zealand in March this year for Interhash 2024 and a similar number also attended the Pan Asia Hash held in Johor Bahru in Malaysia just last month. In both these events just over 2000 hashers took part.

“Fiji was able to promote the inaugural Pan-Asia Pacific Hash, and the response was overwhelming. A good number of overseas hashers kept enquiring on details since we had announced the intention,” Dr Raju said.

“It would create a perfect platform to showcase Fiji once again and the enormous potential being presented to market the country as a Sports Tourism destination. We hope to create awareness on health, exercise and prevention of NCDs.”

According to Dr Raju, the director of the event, Pan Asia-Pacific Hash will aim to also advocate a “DRUG AND SMOKE FREE FIJI”.

“Nadi, Malolo and Hospital HHH will collectively now reset the timeline and will host the event from 16-18 September 2027. This gives us ample time to host the best International Hash event in Fiji,” Dr Raju said.

“Hashers from throughout the world are expected to register once the logistics are all well established. Marketing campaign will start shortly to attract hashers to register early and start their preparations to visit Fiji. There are more than 2000 Hash chapters globally and we aim to touch base with all of them through our strong and established network.

“We hope to raise sufficient funds again that will go towards a worthy charitable cause and the recipient of this fundraising will be decided later.

“Our website is expected to be ready within a month and anyone in Fiji can also register. Anyone for that matter is welcome to join Hash House Harriers chapters in Fiji as there are four active chapters. Suva is the only other city that has an active group that meets on Mondays.”

ENDS…