Teen Will Miss Father’s Cheering
ANakodu Village teenager aims to don the white jersey in the future as a Flying Fijian to honour the memory of his father. His father, Joseua Manumanu died from a hit and run accident at Makoi on Saturday morning. “I am ready to study and build on my rugby talent for my father,” said Koro islander Napolioni Leka who begins Year Nine tomorrow at Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS). Napolioni said he was going to miss his number one fan if he goes on to play for the yellow and blue jumper for the Delainakaikai brigade.
Tears flowed freely as Napolioni tried to explain his 40-year-old father’s character. “My father was always supportive towards my passion for rugby; ever since primary school I always see him at all my rugby matches,” Napolioni said. “He never missed any of my rugby matches and was always there to encourage me.” Napolioni represented his school Nakodu-Mudu Primary School throughout all the grades in primary schools rugby. “I still remember that from day one, he will always remind me to put more effort in my talent in rugby because it will take me places in the future,” he said. Napolioni’s family was among Koro villagers who were devastated by Tropical Cyclone Winston in February last year and the family currently reside at the Narere HART community. “We were in Koro when Tropical Cyclone Winston took down our village, after all our belongings were destroyed in the cyclone, my father decided to relocate us to Suva,” he said. “Our father’s main priority was our education, this is why he got us over to Suva for better education.
His mother, Tovulailai villager of Nairai island Vilimaina Bola said: “My husband loved our children so much that he would sacrifice a lot for them,” she said.
A Police statement released yesterday said: “Two men are in custody following an alleged hit and run case whereby a 40-year-old man died. “The incident occurred on Saturday morning along the Kings Road in Makoi and it is alleged the two suspects one driving a private car and the other a taxi fled the scene after bumping the victim.
“Investigations continue and a post mortem will be conducted to ascertain the cause of death.”
Tears flowed freely as Napolioni tried to explain his 40-year-old father’s character.