Lakeba reaps three-year plan
HOW often have you seen a sports team change uniforms to play a different sport?
The island of Lakeba in the Lau Group are known for their talents in cricket but now a group of players from the islands have formed a team to join the Fiji Volleyball Federation competition.
The islanders started their quest last weekend in Lautoka during the IMAT Volleyball Tournament where they reached the elimination rounds.
“You take them to cricket and rugby tournaments, they will play their best, but now the focus is on volleyball,” said Frank Jeremaia, who orgnised their trip to Suva and was the weekly volleyball competition organiser on the island.
Jeremaia said the three-year plan they set had started to reap its fruits.
“The Fiji Sports Commission came in 2017 and the islanders were fortunate to get referees workshop and some other rules that really helped them,” the Nukubalavu, Savusavu on Vanua Levu man said.
“We thank the commission for caring about people living in the maritime zone,” he said.
“We have three villages in Vakano, Nukunuku, Yadrana that formed the team that came to Suva but in the weekly competition on Lakeba we have eight teams playing.
“These players they dive for fish in the night and sell coconuts in the day to help them in their trip which cost about $220 per person.”
He said the desire the players had enabled them to be here in Suva.
“This trip is for us to be exposed in big tournaments and the aim for these players is to compete at a higher level of competition,” he said.
The club will be hosting a tournament on October 23-24 at the LICI Courts and the National Netball Centre in Laucala Bay, Suva.
FVF president Liga Gukisuva praised the club for hosting a tournament.
“This is actually an inspiration story for everyone — if a maritime zone such as Lakeba who have very limited access to resources can put together a tournament and bring it to Suva — anyone out there can do the same, all we need is a change in attitude.
He said FVF was ready to facilitate all requirements and would open doors for other key stakeholders.