Championship to re-ignite interest, says Ravai

For the first time after four years, Raiwaqa Basketball Association has organised a competition to revive the sport in the area.

Apart from the Easter Basketball competition RBA has decided to come up with another tournament to boost the interests among the young people.

The competition will be sponsored by Beauty Spot and 16 teams have confirmed their participation.

Tournament coordinator Mala Ravai yesterday said they want to revive the sport and keep players occupied rather than switching their interest to other sports.

He said for the past four years there were no such tournament and this has prompted them to organise something.

Raiwaqa has been known as the home of basketball in the country.

Throughout the years most of the country’s top basketballers like Tunai Waqairawai, Councillor Tevita Tuimabulau, Tamana Rasova, Joe Togaloa, Lewis Politini, Sifa Nacagilevu, Tuvili Cinavilakeba, Simi Rasova, Joe ‘Cash’ Colata, Tomasi Bulai, Tomu Jani, Solomone Dodoko, Anthony Bosevula, Filimone Vula, Mili Waqairawai, Bula Tora, Major Kabakoro, Mea Waqairawai hail from Raiwaqa.

“Our main aim is to keep the players occupied with basketball and keep their interest on the sport. Some players have gone to other sports like rugby, touch rugby and we want to revive the sport again to get back that lost interest,” Ravai said.

“There is only one basketball competition this season and we want to get back the spirit of the sport to the level where it should be.”

Meanwhile, Raiwaqa teams Warriors and Brostin are tipped to win this weekend but Ravai said they are expecting the competition to be a tough one since all teams are prepared for it.

He went on to thank Beauty Spot for sponsoring the tournament and Fiji Basketball for assisting in the organising of the championship.

The Beauty Spot sponsored Raiwaqa Basketball revival competition will be held at the Edge Courts in Raiwaqa this Saturday.

SUN FIJI SPORTSDESK




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