People of Newtown gear up for major celebration to welcome Tuwai

People of Newtown in Nasinu are gearing up for a major celebration to welcome back their son Jerry Tuwai after winning an Olympic Gold Medal in Rio.

Tuwai who grew up in Newtown is expected to be carried from the Newtown roundabout to Bishop Kempthorne Memorial School by the Newtown 15's rugby team.

Organizing committee member of the celebration, Sisilia Bale says they are expecting more than 2,000 people from all over Nasinu including all the Solomon Island descendants from Wailoku, Caubati and Kalabu.

Bale says that Jerry’s achievements have also united their eight mataqali in Newtown.

These include Bali, Buka, Merelavo, Nakoni, Orobuli, Motolava, Sadro and Wai.

Bale says that Tuwai will be accorded a full traditional ceremony at the celebration where the elders will thank him for his achievements and how he has made them proud.

Nasinu Town Council Mayor Mosese Kama and Coca Cola Amatil Fiji Limited Marketing Manager Lawrance Tikaram will be also at the celebrations as they have sponsored the event.

The celebration is expected to start at 12pm at Bishop Kempthorne Memorial School ground at Newtown, Nasinu this Saturday.