Shattered dreams

Michael Chambers, Lautoka

The dream of becoming a professional rugby player overseas for Etonia Lotawa Uluilakeba was cut short in 2015 when he got injured and damaged his hip bone while playing in local Kaji Rugby competition.

Due to the extent of his injury, he had to be aided with crutches to attend school daily. Now a Year 9 student at Tilak High School, he sits on the sidelines cheering his team on for a sport that brought him his disability. He was fortunate this year to qualify under his father’s medical insurance to obtain medical treatment overseas.

His father, a firefighter with the National Fire Authority in Lautoka, was seen running around making last minute arrangements for his son’s treatment in Hawaii.

Unfortunately, the cover only takes Etonia as far as India where he has to seek funds to transit to Hawaii for his operation. He has to be there on April 4 which is his appointment date or he loses out.

After his operation, he will be given six months to recover with regular check-ups to monitor his progress.

I am wishing Etonia well in his treatment and recovery. But that leaves the question on what Fiji Rugby Union, the parent body for Kaji Rugby, done to help those that have been injured like Etonia.

The answer, nothing. I believe every kaji player should be insured under a group medical scheme under the Kaji Rugby banner. Otherwise I would urge all parents not to allow their children to play as it will come back to haunt them when a serious injury happens. The oval ball is in your hands, you decide before fate tackles you.