Tonga hunts for world’s “maddest” rugby fan

Tonga hunts for world’s “maddest” rugby fan

The Kingdom of Tonga is in search of the ‘World’s Rugby Maddest Fan’ as part of a major tourism campaign launched in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The campaign invites rugby fans worldwide to submit online videos demonstrating why they deserve the title of the sport’s keenest devotee.

The promotion is targeted at the 85,000 visitors expected in New Zealand for the World Cup. The winner gets an all-expenses-paid holiday to Tonga.

The Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Tu’ivakano is featured on the campaign’s website (www.rugbymaddest.com), starring in a 2 minute video based on Tongans’ love for the game.

“Here in Tonga we live rugby. It’s not just a game, it’s a way of life,” the Prime Minister declares in the clip.

He promised a show down on 9 September 2011, when Tonga’s national team, the ‘Ikale Tahi, faces the New Zealand All Blacks in the first match of the Rugby World Cup.

“We are hoping the competition and website will generate significant publicity for our associated Rugby World Cup tourism campaign,” said CEO at the Ministry of Tourism Sakopo Lolohea.

“Tonga is rugby mad and we are aiming to use our affinity with the game, and our proximity to New Zealand to attract rugby fans from around the globe to come to the Kingdom for short stays during the World Cup.”

Air New Zealand Holidays will be providing packages specially put together for visiting fans, while the UK’s Rugby World Magazine (www.rugbyworld.com) will publicise the campaign over the coming months.

The World’s Rugby Maddest Fan campaign was officially launched last week in at London’s prestigious New Zealand House. Guests included England Captain Nick Easter, England winger Dave Strettle, Tongan International Epi Taione, former England international footballer Rodney Marsh, and Tonga’s High Commissioner in the UK, H.E. Dr Sione Ngongo Kioa.

ENDS

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