A star is born
Babasiga Lions journey to a historic inter district tournament win
WHILE the Babasiga Lions rejoiced on Sunday evening, they did not have the perfect start to the 2020 IDC tournament.
The Lions had lost to Navua 1-0 and soccer pundits had written off the ‘northern bullets’ for the Lions had to beat Nadi and Ba to make it from their pool. Ba and Nadi walked into the tournament with strong sides and beating them meant that Labasa had to put up something extraordinary and not the lethargic performance that they put up against Navua.
In his interview with The Fiji Times (12/10) after winning the IDC, Labasa goalie Akuila Mateisuva, who also walked away with the Golden Glove Award, shared how he had spoken some strong words in the changing room to his teammates.
He said, “If you don’t have the pride in your red and white district jersey and the people of Labasa, then it would be better you take it off and leave.” His words inspired Labasa as they demolished Nadi 4-0. In their last pool match, Labasa upset Ba 2-1 and made it from pool play. This attracted a huge crowd at the stadium as Labasa fans were vocal and screamed their hearts out for the Lions who created another upset.
The Lions beat Rewa who had won the Punjas BOG and currently lead the league points table. Ratu Anare scored the winner as his shot was too strong for veteran Rewa goalie Simione Tamanisau to handle. After the win against Rewa, Labasa coach Master Ronil Lal said, “We had been written off after our loss in the first round, but our players have shown their character and resolve to come this far. Rewa was not easy, and they came hard at the start, but our players showed they were in it and pulled off the win and I congratulate them.” Labasa fans could smell the Lloyd Farebrother as the Lions were ready for Lautoka who sneaked into the final thumping the Men in Black 2-1.
The unpredictable Lautoka side had stunned Fiji’s traditional giants with goals to Samuela Gavo and Zibraaz Sahib.
Monday’s The Fiji Times heading read ‘IDC double for Lions’ as Labasa came from behind to beat Lautoka 2-1. The last time the two sides met in the IDC final was in 1973 (47 years ago) when Lautoka beat Labasa 1-0 and the scenario looked like the 1973 final as Lautoka’s Zibraaz Sahib scored Lautoka’s opening goal from the penalty spot.
However, Labasa’s firing power, character and fightback led the onslaught as Ilisoni Lolaivalu and Ratu Anare brought joy to the thousands of Labasa fans as the Lions took the lead 2-1 and defended their lead. No Labasa team had ever defended their IDC title and
KRISHN Singh has dreams to one day represent Fiji at the world stage in bowling.
Turning heads during the recent 2020 Pineapple Cup tournament the 16-year-old is one of the youngest competitors to compete professionally in the sport.
“I started playing seven years ago, and this is my second nationals,” Singh said.
“Within three to four years want to represent Fiji.”
Singh said what started as a normal trip to the parents workplace at the Lautoka Bowling Club soon turned into a favourite pastime.
“My parents were looking for a space to open up a restaurant so
Ithis set of boys did it. They created history.
Noa Biudole in his sports wrapup titled ‘Lions roar at Suva IDC 2020 final’ (FT: 12/10) reported that, “The Labasa football team defied the odds to secure back-to-back titles during the 2020 Courts IDC tournament.” Master Ronil was emotional and said “We lost as a team in the beginning and regrouped as a team and came back to win as a team.” Fans found it hard to contain their joy as they danced to the beat of the musical instruments. Labasa soccer president Rayaz also paid his tribute to the wonderful fans who danced their way with the Labasa side. we got a space at Lautoka Bowling Club, after a year I came to the bowling club and there was a club game going on and I was very interested in it.
“I found out how I could get involved in bowling and that’s how I became a member of Lautoka Bowling Club”
The Tilak High School student said he had no second thoughts playing the sport, and was honoured to play among some of Fiji’s big names.
“When I see more experienced seasoned bowlers I look at them as mentors.
“Every time I play with them I learn something new.”
Singh said to youths out there looking for a sport to play, bowling was one he would recommend.
“This is a game where you can build up your mental strength, and you’ll never get injured or hurt.
“You’ll also get a chance to travel around the world with bowls.”
Fans had painted Suva red as their boys united to give them a perfect Fiji Day gift. President Khan, coach Master Lal, his assistant Master Alvin, who are teachers at Labasa Muslim College and coaches the Labasa youth soccer team, players such as Akuila Mateisuva, Siotama Kubu, Iliesa Lino, Ilisoni Logaivou, Ilisoni Lolaivalu, Taniela Waqa, Ashnil Raju, Vikranth Chandra, Akeimi Ralulu, Ratu Anare, Antonio Tuivuna, Sitiveni Rakai, Iliesa Nayasi, Mohammed Alam, Taniela Rakariva, Melvin Mani, Nemani Dolodai, Abishek Deo, Rohan Nath, Rajiv Sharma and Kirtesh Prasad have gone into history books. Last year, the boots of striker Dennis Ifunaoa proved the difference as his thunderous strike caught Suva goalkeeper Emori Ragata napping and sent the huge Labasa crowd into frenzy as the only unbeaten team in the tournament lifted the Lloyd Farebrother trophy for the first time on western soil. Labasa’s first IDC win was in 1992 at Rt. Cakobau Park. Coached by Anand Sami the Lions had star players like Petero Namoce, Hendry Francis, Taniela Tuilevuka, Jope Lomu, Nete Francis, Ramendra Dutt, Epeli Levaci, Buli Cama, Tevita Tukania, the late Simon Peters, Sakiusa Narara, Solomone Catarogo, Sirino Logaivou and Waisale Rasoki.
The Lions beat Nadroga 2-0 to win their first IDC trophy. Labasa’s next win was in 1994 as Labasa beat Suva 1-0 to win their second IDC title. IDC tournaments came and went and Labasa’s losing streak haunted fans until 2011 when the then president Ajesh Sharma brought Gurjit Singh to spearhead Labasa and the Lions secured the services of Akuila Mateisuva, Ajesh Narayan, Samu Kautoga, Kavaia Rawaqa, Pita Bolaitoga, Sandip Nair, Amit Kanhaiya, Roy Krishna, Ilaitia Tuilau, Maciu Dunadamu, Taniela Waqa and Ilisoni Logaivou. The final was mouthwatering as Dunadamu pounced on a pass from Roy.
He found the back of the net and Labasa fans celebrated wildly. In 2016, Labasa managed to secure the services of top Ba players Remueru Tekiate and Praneel Naidu while the likes of Akuila Mateisuva, Akeimi Ralulu, Edwin Sahayam, Lekima Gonerau, Gabby Matanasiga, Ratu Anare, Christopher Wasasala, Ilisoni Lolaivalu, Ilisoni Logaivou and Taniela Waqa played crucial roles for the Lions. The 2016 IDC final was between traditional rivals Labasa and Ba and Labasa raced away with a 2-0 cushion with goals by Lekima and Ratu Anare. Ba pulled one back but it was not enough as Labasa held on firmly to win their fourth IDC title.
These wins add colour to Labasa’s glorious soccer season. The IDC win was missed by two ardent Labasa fans- my mum the late Pushpa Wati Lingam and the late Shaukat Ali but it was celebrated by many especially by teachers. The staff of Nasinu Muslim College (led by Avinay Prasad and Arshad Habib), the staff of Suva Muslim College (led by Atish Lal) and the staff of MGM High (led by Rajeshwar Prasad and Hotash Padarath) were on cloud nine!
As I conclude, I acknowledge the Labasa team and their officials and coaches Master Ronil and Master Alvin for a job well done!
Finally, a big vinaka vakalevu to the ‘Voice of Soccer’ Raymond Stoddart for the wonderful soccer commentaries that just added icing to the Courts IDC alongside five pages of colourful photos of Labasa fans in yesterday’s The Fiji Times! Sa yawa saraga! Cheers!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam is a regular contributor to this newspaper and the views expressed in this article are his and not necessarily of