Call for change
Cakau wants volleyball constitution amended
VETERAN Fiji beach volleyball player Nacanieli Qilu Elliot is calling on Fiji Volleyball Federation officials to work together to improve volleyball in Fiji.
In the lead up to a busy 2022 season which includes the Pacific Mini Games (PMG) and the Commonwealth Games, Qilu said leaders of the sport should unite in taking volleyball forward.
“In order to have successful volleyball tournaments in the country, officials need to work together to organise more games to identify talents and train them to become Fiji reps,” Qilu said while playing in the Mighty Heights volleyball tournament at Namadi Heights in Suva yesterday.
Qilu, 39, of Naitasiri, aims to be part of the 2022 PMG in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands next June. He was part of the Fiji indoor volleyball team that took part in the 2011 Pacific Games in Noumea, teamed up with Inia Korowale for the Oceania Commonwealth Games Beach Volleyball Qualifier at Port Vila, Vanuatu in 2017 and was part of the bronze medal winning Fiji side in the 2017 Pacific Games.
“I have been doing my own training. There has not been any game time for me, all I have been doing is taking part in local tournaments. I had to train at home, and for two years there wasn't much competitions, so I opted to play volleyball to keep me fit. Beach volleyball is a tough competition and you need a lot of preparations to be physically and mentally fit.”
The Mighty Heights tournament ends today.
FORMER Fiji Volleyball Federation secretary Jerry Cakau, who is in the country for holidays from Australia, is calling for a shake-up in the sport he once helped administer.
The Brisbane high school teacher said the sport had dropped to its knees.
“Ever since I left Fiji for Australia, I have always had a passionate ear of continuing what I do best for volleyball in Fiji. I continue to serve the sport when I was away and I am currently the Delainavesi Volleyball Association patron,” Cakau said.
“Volleyball in Fiji is going through a sad and tough moment because of the changes in management during the past few years.
“It is sad to see and witness the state the sport is in. Fiji was once the volleyball hub of the South Pacific. This time FVF is trying to put its house in order. FVF is currently in debt and it will take a good task force of a quality dedicated team to take us back to the top.
“During our time, volleyball associations were open in every districts around Fiji. Every member was welcomed with dignity and compassion. Executives serve their members, passionately and we articulate programs and create subcommittees within the federation. There was also the change in the FVF constitution that created an atmosphere of the sport being politicised. The first thing that needs to be done now is to change the constitution again.”
Cakau has thrown his support for incoming FVF president Joe Gray, who is expected to take up office on January 6.
“He will be a good president because he has the people at heart. His AFL volleyball tournament is a record for the region.
“We need a team of people that does not play volleyball to run the federation. This way they will be willing to serve the federation, and make commitments to leadership. There needs to be no personal egos or agendas to gain their popularity. They need to serve and be a servant to their members. This was not seen in volleyball after the Elesi Ketedromo moments. Volleyball sport in Fiji needs to start from scratch again and go up. I am sure that Joe Gray will blend in well as being the new president coming in January 6, 2022.
“As patron for the Delainavesi Volleyball Association, it is always been a passion to come to my country of origin and give back what volleyball has made me to be. I am and was a product of the sport even up to this date.”
Comments were sought from FVF.