EVENT SUMMARY Dr. Ram Raju
By: Email: rraju@connect.com.fj
History of Hash House Harriers Hash House Harriers legitimately qualifies to the be world’s largest running club with chapters in more than 100 countries. It was started in 1938 in Malaysia just before the start of second world war by several British Colonial Officers and expatriates led by Albert Gispert who later died in the war. After a lapse of several years due to the Second World War, the hashing club began to emerge as one of the most successful running clubs and the movements spread to every corner of the globe where expatriates lived and worked from the 1950’s. Hash House Harriers or Triple H traditionally ran on Mondays (to get rid of weekend hangovers) but today any other day is accepted in most parts of the world. Promotion of physical fitness and wellbeing is the motto of Hash House Harriers apart from hash fellowship and camaraderie. The other two important message or motto is to persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel and to quench the thirst, after a hard run and sweat, with beer !! Running in the countryside is often encouraged and all interhash trails set up to make the hashers get to see the rural areas and meet the people, the grassroots. It’s basically cross country running through mountains, bush, rivers and creeks for an average duration of 2 hrs and the distances varies from 5-12 km, depending on the terrain. Fiji is blessed with abundant territory and countryside that clearly provides excellent running tracks of every nature and those who love nature, Fiji has it all and is the place to be. I wish to congratulate the team from Nadi Hash House Harriers who have worked hard to bring the 21st anniversary of Interhash to Fiji for the first time. You won’t be disappointed and I’m sure you’ll enjoy your runs to the best of your abilities. Fiji has become a popular destination for sports apart from tourism of course. Sports obviously plays a vital role in maintaining good health and fitness and my Ministry is actively involved in promotion of every sporting activity in the country. Fiji has produced world class players in all the major sports namely rugby union and league, soccer, golf, swimming etc.
Dear Dr. Raju,
Congratulations
and Well Done for a successful Interhash! You can be justly proud of what you and your Committee achieved for Fiji. It was no mean feat! Over the years, I have been involved with many Concerts, Festivals and Sporting Events in Samoa but nothing of the magnitude of what you did which is a credit to your patience, perseverance and leadership. Malo lava! I made the effort to come to Nadi because I had never been to a Interhash and I wanted to see what actually happens. There are so many moving parts to it so that if you do not have committed volunteers it could be very difficult. My first vote went to NZ because of their closeness and second one to T&T because they were well prepared with heir presentation. I am happy for T&T and all going well, I hope to be there. When you have balanced up and caught up with your sleep I would like to discuss with you your final outcomes purely and simply for the sake of pondering the future prospect of Samoa making a bid in the future. I would also appreciate from you the names of the 4 Bands that you used at the various Venues and roughly what you paid for each. They were fantastic and played a huge part in setting the right mood for all the events. We have many Music Festivals in Samoa and I would like to consider inviting them here. Rest and recover well before responding. With utmost respect, ‘Godfather’ aka Joe Annandale P.S: This is just one of the hundreds of adulatory messages received soon after the event.
STTI and Rick O Shea of Dublin HHH were the last of the Interhash 2018 still in Fiji but this was their last nite. Arrived on 22nd of May, left on 6th July. STTI still having her wrist band as you see proudly displayed, both RDR and Interhash 2018 and last nite were their wedding anniversary which they celebrated in style with our mob at Hotel Martintar.
A SYNOPSIS OF INTERHASH 2018 The biggest single sporting event ever held in Fiji concluded with a bang on Sunday 27th May at Prince Charles Park. Bula Interhash 2018 attracted close to 1700 hashers and their families from close to 60 countries who were all accommodated in just about every hotel in Nadi. Nadi Hash House Harriers were the hosts and heroes who worked round the clock to ensure an incident free event – 4 official days and many more unofficial days before and after. Prince Charles Park (PCP) We had secured PCP for a week beginning Monday 21st May. Construction of stage (the largest ever seen at PCP) by FRINCOS Hire (Makoi/Suva based company) started on Monday which took them 3 days to complete together with several more marquees, booths for trade, drinks and food stations.
Registration Process Offices were set up at PCP and registration started from Tuesday 22nd as many hashers were already in the country. Registration peaked on Wednesday and Thursday with close to 1000 completed and goody bags handed. Goody Bags had 11 different items namely a T shirt, Interhash 2018 magazine, Cap, beer mug, key holder, souvenir magnet, towel, badges, bottle opener, Qaqa carry on bag and a hash passport all of the items had the Fiji 2018 Interhash souvenir designs.
INTERHASH 2018 synopsis continued . . Thursday - 24th of May 2018 Red Dress Run The charity run in Lautoka was preceded by a welcome lunch h at the oka City famous Lautoka Botanical Gardens kindly hosted by Lautoka rs regisCouncil from 1-2pm. There were 550 International hashers tered for this special occasion which was later held at Lautoka oka Club The run/walk started at 2 pm from Lautoka Club for a distance stance of ncluding 8km and the tracks weaved through major historical sites including Lautoka Hospital where Hospital Hash started in 1977. Most completed the run within 90 minutes in the hot conditions but w were erre e ere quickly cooled off at Lautoka Club with plenty of beers rs and d ssoft oft of drinks. Total money raised is yet to be finalized but is expected d to be well over 40,000.00. The chief guest for this special Red Dress ess Run was the Minister for Health and Medical Services Hon Rosyy Akbar who spoke well on the role and importance of physical fitness ess and wellness. “It’s an eye opener for us Fijians to start thinking g about our health and start making changes to our lifestyle to live a healthier lifestyle”. She congratulated Nadi and Hospital team for bringing Red Dress Run to Lautoka and raising funds for a worthy cause. Hon Faiyaz Koya made a surprise visit briefly addressing the large audience who were all dressed in something red befitting the occasion with many men in fancy make ups and fancy attire. Merry making, hash announcements, punishments and jokes carried on till late but the highlight was the live musical band led by Sammy Stephens and group with DJ Ranjit Raju sponsoring the sound system. An entertaining meke group swayed everyone to the floor. Paradise Beverages were the major sponsors of the RDR providing all the drinks (4 different tastes of beers), special RDR T shirts as well as volunteer T shirts. Classic Busses sponsored the transportation of all the hashers to Lautoka and back to their respective hotels. Lautoka Club provided the venue FOC. This fund raising event was dubbed the biggest ever charity run in Fiji and the entire function was perhaps the best ever seen in Fiji. The team from Paradise Beverages made sure everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest without any hiccups. It was a scene of red fancy dresses throughout and everyone had a ball before heading back to Nadi by 9pm.
INTERHASH 2018 synopsis continued . . Friday - 25th of May 2018 Official Opening
Theme: Fiji Islander Night The Chief Guest was Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Lands and Mineral Resources Hon Faiyaz Koya. Prior to the opening at 5.30pm there was a spectacular skydive display team that came down with the Fiji , Interhash 2018 and Skydive Flags that landed in the middle of Prince Charles Park near the biggest stage facing the pavilion. The Skydive team was led by veteran skydive professional Tim John Joyce of Skydive Fiji. The national anthem was played by Gyan Prakash “Sarangi” with Jai Prakash on Tabla. Traditional Fijian Ceremony of Welcome was accorded followed by welcome dance by a young Indian girl, Tanisha Narayan of Nadi Primary School . Hon Koya was pleased to be part of the welcome ceremony as he was a special guest 2 yrs ago in Bali where Fiji managed to win the bid for Interhash 2018. Live band by a group ka “Love 33” Hanisi and Jim Ratusila and live dances by a popular Fijian and Polynesian entertainment group that kept everyone thoroughly entertained.
INTERHASH 2018 synopsis continued . . Saturday - 26th of May 2018 Hashers assembled near Prince Charles Park (PCP) by 9am to get into buses for 7 different run sites but prior to that a march or parade was conducted. The parade attracted a good cross section of the registered hashers from 58 countries who were led by an Indian Nagada group from Ba and a Sanehi group from Nadi creating a thunderous musical chord and the march started from PCP, Raniga Street, Andrews Road then the main street up to the Hospital Rd and back to PCP which took us about 20 minutes. This was a great start to the many grueling runs that hashers had come to Fiji to take part in. The first 2 buses with 100 hashers left for Sabeto at 9am for the Ball Breaker or the marathon hash run. The rest left for other run sites after the parade or march 150-200 hashers took part in various run sites namely Momi Gun Museum, Wombat’s memorial from Fiji Culture Village, Togo Primary School, Altaf’s Aqua Water factory in Nasau, Lomolomo Beach and PCP/Nawaka. All the runs started by 10.30 am finishing by 12.30 pm in most cases but some dragged on for more than 3 hrs before they all finished. After the usual hash announcements, beers and lunch everyone were dropped off to their respective hotels. Hashers then returned to PCP for the evening function that started by 5pm and the Chief Guest of Honor was Minister for Youth and Sports Hon Laisenia Tuitubou who spoke about the role of youths and sports, hashers to be role models for the youth advocating the benefits of exercise etc etc. Theme was Bollywood and the live band was from Suva ka “Sometimes”, with Joni Bola and the “Brotherhood”. Entertainment was provided by the VOU group that rocked the crowd many of whom were dressed in fancy Bollywood costumes.
INTERHASH 2018 synopsis continued . . Sunday - 27th of May 2018 The final day of the runs again started from PCP at 10 am with 18 buses for 6 different run sites. We were blessed with great weather with light showers and clouds that was welcomed by all international hashers, unlike the previous days when it was hot and humid with hardly any clouds. We were far better prepared for the runs with plenty of water stops for each run site. International hashers, hash grand masters and religious advisers joined Fiji colleagues in conducting the circles (hash announcements, punishments, fines etc). Lots of jokes, stories and hash songs were sung and each circle lasted approx. 2 hrs which included lunches before heading back to PCP and thereafter all were dropped off to their respective hotels. Counting of votes had taken place earlier in the day to select the next host for Interhash 2020. There were 5 bidders namely Dubai, India, NZ, Malaysia and Trinidad and Tobago. The gates opened again at 5pm for final night fellowship and farewell program. The Chief Guest of Honor was our President HE Jioji Konrote. Entertainment was provided by the VOU group and the live music by Hanisi and Jim Ratusila. Trindad and Tobago were declared the hosts for Interhash 2020. The oldest hasher from Darwin aged 95 was honored by the President on stage with a special gift from Fiji Interhash 2018 committee.
President of Fiji HE Jioji Konrote honouring the oldest hasher from Darwin aged 95 with a special gift from Fiji Interhash 2018 committee.
INTERHASH 2018 synopsis continued . . Summary & Conclusion We pulled off a magnificent Interhash for the first time in Fiji and the smallest country ever to do so. We proved the skeptics wrong and we were confident that we could deliver one of the best Interhash events right here in Nadi. Although there were a few setbacks or minor hiccups that was expected, generally though a flawless 4 days of merry making, camaraderie, running the countryside, discovering and exploring, making new friendships and kinship ….. Entertainment was at it’s best every night beginning with the RDR in Lautoka. The top live bands in Fiji were super in their renditions which stunned the crowd and many international hashers thought that they were from overseas. This event brought in close to 2000 visitors as many came with their families as well. On average most hashers stayed for more than 14 days which therefore resulted in millions of dollars worth of business. Many of them went out to discover Fiji and many of them have vowed to be back in the future. We have certainly put Fiji on the world map as a super destination not only for hashing but much more Volunteers and Sponsors. Bula Interhash 2018 would not have been successful without the support of the sponsors and volunteers to whom we are extremely grateful. We had a special function to thank them all as well as giving them T shirts and Interhash goody bags. The 21st Anniversary of Interhash was described by many as the best ever interhash and for us to get that accolade is indeed very pleasing. Our major stakeholder was MITT and Tourism Fiji to whom we are forever grateful and their presence and support throughout is gratefully acknowledged.
Fiji Police We didn’t face any obstacles at all and the support from Fiji Police was highly commendable who made sure all our visitors were looked after well and without any incidence. Police in their support vehicles and motor cycles provided easy transportation, provided all the necessary escort and guidance to the various run sites and back. Their presence together with our own private security services at every event resulted in zero incidences.
Medical and Health issues No major problems or issues were reported apart from 2 cases caases that needed oka needed a drip hospital care for a few hrs. The first from RDR in Lautoka se in i Nadi with for dehydration and released after 2 hrs and second case suspected chicken bone stuck in the throat who was promptly ompptly treated at Nadi Hospital successfully and discharged. Minor strains, sprains and heat exhaustion encounteredd during duuring the 2 days of countryside running that were all looked after by medical m back up crew and staff of Red Cross.
International Tournaments This was the biggest single sporting event ever staged inn Nadi N and we are more than ready for bigger events. Nadi can certainly rtainnly host any other major international activity including HSBC sev sevens vens series in the near future.
Interhash 2020 Trinidad and Tobago were declared the winner for Interhash 2020 and we are all excited to represent Fiji and I expect a team of more than 20 getting ready to goo there. We’ll continue to promote Fiji, not only for tourism and hashing but also investments as we received a lot of interest particularly from the retirees.
INTERHASH 2018 synopsis continued . .
Following the sweet success of Interhash 2018, we have taken on the challenge of organising a regional event, inaugural South Pacific Hash in July 2021 (22nd-25th). The directors and committee members of Fiji Interhash 2018 have pledged to work together again for the inaugural South Pacific Hash (SPH) iin 2021. A website has been set up www.sphfiji2021.com that has attractive features along the lines of th Interhash 2018 and the format will be similar. Int We are hoping to get similar assistance from MITT, Tourism Fiji, Paradise Beverages and other MIT sponsors/stakeholders. spo
Fiji
awaits you for another great hashing experience! For more information
www.sphfiji2021.com
INTERHASH 2018 synopsis continued . . Pan Asia Hash The 16th Pan Asia Hash will be held in Zhangjiajie City and National Park, situated in Northern Hunan Province of China from 7-10th Nov 2019. More than 3,000 have already registered for this event which is obviously popular for the Asians to take part. Fiji will once again be represented by more than 10 hashers and we intend to continue our marketing strategies – inaugural South Pacific Hash 2021, Tourism, Investment and Trade. Will have a special booth for this purpose and if we can get sponsors, will be happy to take a dancing group from Fiji like the VOU group who did wonders when we took them to Bali in 2016.
Nash Hash (National)
Australia ka Croc Hash 2019 This will be held in Port Douglas, Northern Queensland, from 3rd-5th May. Close to a thousand hashers are expected for this popular Aussie event that we have taken part in before. Again we’ll kick off our promotion and marketing for Fiji in all the areas as mentioned earlier.
Financial Summary – Nadi Hash 31 August 2018 Statement of Comprehensive income Currency: FJD
2018
Registration fee Sponsorship Other income
537,046 315,500 61,806
Total revenue
914,352
Food and beverage Other operating expenses
(303,860) (432,898)
Total expenses
(736,758)
Net surplus/(deficit)
177,594
Registration fee Represents amount received from participants who wish to take part in 2018 Fiji Hash. Even though funds was collected from 2016, revenue was not realized until the event was held in 2018. Funds collected prior to 2018 was recorded as advance deposit in the statement of financial position.
Sponsorship Major sponsor for this event was Tourism Fiji who promised to provide funding of $300,000. Of this amount, $150,000 was received during the year while balance of $150,000 remains to be received from Tourism Fiji which has been recorded in the 2018 accounts as other receivables in the statement of financial position.
Other income Major component of other income is net surplus from organizing the red dress event. Income for this event through registration was $70,415 while expenses were $11,785 resulting in net profit of $58,630. Other notable movement in other income related to income from stall hire, sale of T-shirt and interest income from amounts held in bank for operation purpose.
Other operating expenses Major component of other operating expenses were: goody bags ($125k), transportation ($61k), Construction and hire ($49k), event management ($40k) and medical services ($16k).
Statement of Financial Position
Other receivable
Currency: FJD
2018
Cash and cash equivalents Other receivables
41,028 150,000
Other receivable of $150,000 recognized in 2018 represents amount to be received from Tourism Fiji as per agreement. Signing amount was $300,000 of which 50% was received during the year.
Total assets
191,028
Trade and other payables
58,220
Total liabilities
58,220
Net assets/(liabilities)
132,808
Accumulated funds Total Accumulated funds
132,808 132,808
This receivable is quite significant for the entity as this will affect the financial position and performance of the entity. Absence of this $150,000 will adversely affect the entity by creating a net liabilities position of $17,192 as at 31 August 2018 and reduction in net surplus from $177,594 to $27,594 for the year ended 31 August 2018. This will also question validity of going concern basis of the entity.
Trade and other payables As at 31 August 2018, trade and other payable was $58,220. Major component of this was: nana’s catering ($15k), Audit fees ($13k) and event management ($10k).
Accumulated funds Accumulated funds are the net deficit and surplus being recognized over the years. The entity noted net deficit in the first 2 years of operation before surplus in 2018 assisted by Tourism Fiji funding of $300,000