The glory days of football in the ‘Hidden Paradise’
THE late Surendra Rama, who was passionate about football, joined Savusavu Copra Mill from Lautoka, took charge of Savusavu football and under his reigns football became the sweet dream of every player in the Hidden Paradise.
The late Rama was a man of principles. He was particular about player welfare, discipline and commitment. The ’90s became the wining era and football became an obsession and life felt so exciting.
In 1990, Savusavu won the IDC trophy in the senior division for the first time. The 52nd IDC tournament was officially opened by the then Australian Ambassador Robert Cotton. The Fiji Times team, which did the coverage of the IDC, included Iliesa Tora, Samisoni Kakaivalu, Arin Chandra, Yad Singh, Ilaitia Prasad, Shailendra Singh and William Copeland.
Savusavu made a bright start in the IDC thrashing Nalawa (5-0). Savusavu, led by the legend Viliame Ropate, displayed a spectacular brand of soccer. In the semi-final, Savusavu’s Johnny Simpson headed in the goal that ended Tailevu Naitasiri’s hopes of a win.
Defending champions Nadogo had bowed out of the tournament in pool play. Savusavu lined up against Rakiraki in the final and the likes of Joseph Singh, Mahendra Kumar, Joseva Raika, Viliame Ropate, Rupeni Tukana, Levi Vere, Albert Andrews, Aminisitai Seru, Johnny Simpson, Apisai Navunisimu, Iowane Kauveti, Joji Sauvaraga and Lagilagi Rakiaca donned the white jumper against the Maroons led by the likes of Kelemedi Raicavu, Mohammed Haroon, Penaia Maca, Sunny Ram, Sunil Rohit, Dhinesh Lal, Alfred David, Raj Naicker, Noor Ali, Samuela Railoa, Rajesh Prasad, Vilitati Maro and Sefanaia Ratunayau.
Savusavu thrashed Rakiraki (4-0) and Savusavu soccer boss the late Surendra Rama was a jubilant man after the historic win and this is what the late Rama had to say, “Nine times we have tried and now it’s finally done. Everything we had planned out is working to perfection. We have the league title in the bag, the IDC and only have Navua in the way to a premiership berth. We’ll handle them when they come to Savusavu”.
Team manager the late Sam Lal (Moti) was emotional as well as FFA Vice-patron the late Sir Justice Moti Tikaram handed over the FFA Cup to Savusavu captain Viliame Ropate. Nasinu captain Tagi Vonolagi also hoisted the Lloyd Farebrother Trophy after the giant-killers, with the likes of Tagi Vonolagi, Anare Sikoa, Meli Tuqota, Abdul Manaan, Sailesh Kumar, Eliki Lui, Terry Waqaliti, Ronald Chaudhry, Rajesh Kumar, Viliame Naqatoloaloa, Tomu Vania and Joe Naibuta, beat Suva (1-0).
Vania was the goal scorer. Prior to the IDC, Savusavu had defeated Vatukoula and Levuka to win the senior division league title and after winning the IDC for the first time the Whites returned home in high spirits to prepare for the promotion-relegation two-match series against Navua, but lost both matches (3-1).
In 1992, Savusavu and Levuka met and Savusavu made amends for their pool play exit the previous year to beat Levuka 2-1 in the final. Savusavu appeared to be fitter and more determined, while Levuka failed to display the energy and enthusiasm needed to win the final.
The Steven Andrews-captained side was down (1-0), but fought back gallantly to storm to victory at Ratu Cakobau Park. Savusavu’s scorers were George Singh and Jone Vuwai and the likes of Steven Andrews, Jone Vuwai, Mahendra Kumar, Anil Deo, Aliposo Nasila, Apolosi Qata, Viliame Ropate, Rupeni Tukana, Levi Vere, Naisiri Komo, Aminisitai Seru, Johnny Simpson and Joji Sauvaraga played in the final against Levuka’s Kenny Powell, Kaverieli Salesi, Jone Salesi, Gingin Prasad, Samisoni Naulitu, Sanjeev Kumar, Seru Waqa, Tevita Rasiga, Joe Nete, Joseva Koroi, Prithi Bechu, Tapa Powell, Hirdesh Narayan and Wakele Vidi. Club football in Savusavu
Those days, football was a hit in Savusavu and the league, Bhartiya and Sanatan tournaments made sure that crazy fans (children, youth and the seniors) were assembled at Narains Park and Ganilau Park.
We had huge rivalry between the clubs. Whenever Copra Millers and Santos clubs met, fans experienced fireworks on and off the field. Those, who were on the line, had a great time entertaining fans.
The refs’ had a tough time controlling the matches- such was the passion with which the players wore their clubs jerseys. We looked forward to Saturdays for local league and long weekends for football tournaments which attracted clubs from Labasa, Taveuni and Dreketi.
From the local league and local tournaments, the best squad was named to represent the Savusavu football team which competed against Nadogo, Bua, Seaqaqa and Taveuni. Savusavu also played in the promotion and relegation series against teams like Lautoka, Tavua, Nasinu and Nadi. Today, Savusavu is a shadow of the team that it was in the 90s.
Voice of soccer
Raymond Stoddart is arguably the best football commentator in Fiji. His standards are by far high and it would be so hard to match them. Ever since I have been listening to football commentaries, Raymond Stoddart was the voice to match.
I’d skip anything to listen to his commentaries. He varies his pitch with the action on the field and his melodious voice attracts bulk of football lovers to listen to his exciting and full of action commentaries.
Raymond has been a player turned commentator so he knows the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of the sport. He is a good critic and his opinions are frank. He started as a secondary school player in the late 70s and was part of the Fiji U20 side as well.
At the age of 16 years, he was part of the Suva district team and he featured for the Flagstaff side with the likes of Mun Lal, Joe Kabakoro and the late John Foster. Raymond ‘The Great’ Stoddart, as I call him, started commentary in 1988.
Ray shared that he was motivated in putting something back into football by commentating. His best memory was being the commentator of the 1991 South Pacific Games final match in Lae which was won by the national football team. Fans criticise Raymond, but Fiji’s number one football commentator is a joy to listen to.
Success of the 2022 Fiji FACT
The Digicel Fiji Fact football tournament will conclude tomorrow with the final. Labasa,
Lautoka, Suva and Ba made it into the semis.
This afternoon, the Babasiga Lions will face traditional giants Ba, while defending champions Suva will come head to head against the Blues.
Suva and Labasa topped their pool. The Lions sneaked past Lautoka on goal difference despite losing 2-1, playing with 10 players.
Suva is the only unbeaten side in the tournament, but then in the knock-out competition anything is possible.
All the four sides had a week’s break to round up preparations and this should have allowed them to carry out a SWOT analysis of their performance from pool play.
The Lions returned home on Monday morning and are raring to show their stuff on the field.
However, the Men in Black can never be counted out as they have armoury in their tank and have a mixture of youth and senior players capable of scoring goals. On paper, Suva is the most decorated side.
The Whites have depth on their bench and they invested and spent a considerable amount of money on players who could bring glory to the capital side. Lautoka lost to Navua and the Blues will be out to prove a point.
Fans have predicted Labasa to beat Ba and Lautoka to upset Suva. Their prediction is a cracking Labasa versus Lautoka grand finale. My best wishes to the four sides, in particular, the Babasiga Lions who have travelled the furthest. I hope the Lions will roar! Veteran’s football
Veteran’s football is set to drive positive vibes this weekend as fans will get an opportunity to watch players who gave them so much to cheer for. I loved the football that was played in the 80s and 90s.
I reckon that football as tough, and about passion and pride rather than money. When I was in primary school, I used to admire the Nadroga team and the likes of the Watkins brothers- Archie and Abraham, the Work brothers- Charles, Jack and William, Kini Tubi, Anirudh Singh, Mesulame Titifanua, Bineshwar, Ned Hicks, Joe Kurivitu, Ilikimi Tulalevu, Bineshwar, Ramendra Datt, Radike Nawalu, Petaia Natisiwai and my hero Vinod Kumar, who played goalie.
I loved the spirit and fighting character of the Stallions who were the side to beat. I was also a huge fan of the Labasa side — the likes of Taniela Tuilevuka, Buli Cama, Petero Namoce, Sakiusa Narara, Jope Lomu, Simon Peters, Solomone Catarogo and Tevita Tukania.
The standard of football displayed by these players was a class, something that I miss these days. Hence, I long for an opportunity to see them show their skills and talent. I wish our veteran players all the best!
is a regular contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are his and not of this newspaper.