Tui Macuata opens 2020 Fiji FACT
THE 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT was officially opened by Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere on Wednesday.
He thanked the Fiji Football Association for staging the tournament in the north after a lapse of 11 years.
Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel acknowledged the contributions of the chief guest, not only in football, but to the pine industry as well. Meanwhile, 13 former national reps from the North, who had won gold medals for Fiji in international competitions, were inducted into the Fiji FA Legends Club during the opening of the 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT in Labasa.
1. Tony Kabakoro – former Suva rep, played for the Fiji team and was a member of the South Pacific Games team which won silver in Samoa. Played in the Suva team that stopped Ba’s record of IDC victories, played for Savusavu after his return from New Zealand, and current the president of the Savusavu Football Association. An intelligent midfielder
2. Shamal Kumar – a great goalkeeper to come out of Labasa. Played for Fiji for many years and part of the Pacific Games team that won the silver medal. Current goalkeeping coach in the North. Employed by Fiji FA.
3. Taniela Tuilevuka - a flamboyant attacking right-back for Labasa, part of many memorable victories for the lions. Was a long-time member of the Fiji team that won a silver medal in 1991 in the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu, a gold medal in the South Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea, and a silver in the 1992 Melanesian Games. Widely called as ‘Bhagwan’ by Labasa fans. Became a Facebook sensation whilst doing a tirikutu dance later with friends in Vunika, Labasa
4. Jope Lomu - he started playing in the age group national team from a very young age of 16 years. The pint-size left defender was later the mainstay of Labasa’s many victories.