Fiji may host 2017 Rugby League World Cup matches
This would be possible after the green light was given by the Rugby League World Cup committee to have the next RLWC co-hosted by a few Pacific nations.
Mr Naleba said further discussions would be made with Government on the possibilities of hosting two matches.
"We have received a letter from the CEO Michael Brown of RLWC committee expressing their interest to consider Fiji as one of the co-hosts for the 2017 event," Mr Naleba said.
"We had written to them and they have agreed for us to host two world cup matches which is a plus for Fiji."
Vodafone Fiji Bati reached two world cup semi-finals in the past with the best performance coming in at the 2008 tournament which was held in Australia when the side caught the attention of many with an impressive performance against France and Ireland in the pool matches.
Mr Naleba said to host such an event would also boost the local economy.
"It is an opportunity which we cannot miss. International Rugby League Federation has extended the sport to the whole of Europe which includes two hundred thousand million viewers," he added.
"The interest from the European countries might lead them to buy television (coverage) rights. Fiji would be televised all over the world and it would also be good for our tourism industry.
"If Government can commit more than two million (dollars) to host Chiefs and Crusaders then they would be happy to support RLWC which might also open doors for other sports as well."
Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia Tuitubou has welcomed the initiative to host international events in Fiji.
"We are talking with some of the officials but they will come back to us since they were at the planning stages," he said.
"It will also uplift the economy of the nation through tourism.
"Hosting two matches in Fiji would be telling the world, including all the sporting federations about our facilities to host international events."
The tournament will be held from mid-November to December, 2017... Fiji Times
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