All Stars Koyamainavure makes family proud

Mataika Koyamainavure and his sister Kelera Koyamainavure are members of the All Stars team. They will depart the country tomorrow for Australia to prepare for the Australian Country Basketball Cup. This will be the first time the two siblings will be playing together in the All Stars team following their elder sister Milika Koyamainavure, who is currently studying and playing in the United States.
Mataika said he knew he would be part of the team but when his sister’s name was announced after the Pacific Youth Games in Australia last month, it came as a pleasant surprise. “When I was playing at the Pacific Youth Games, I knew I was going to make it into the All Stars team but I was surprised when Kelera’s name was announced,” he said. “This is the first time for us to be together and we believe all our hardwork and dedication has paid off.” Kelera is happy to join the team. “It came as a surprise to me but I will do my best,” Kelera said.
The duo said they would work hard and will try to be like their elder sister Milika. “Our aim is to be like our big sister. She represented Fiji and she also represented the All Stars team and through her dedication she got a scholarship to study abroad.” Mataika, 18, is a foundation student at the University of the South Pacific whereas Kelera, 16, is a fifth former at Adi Cakobau School.
Their father Mataika Koyamainavure Senior who played rugby and was the captain of the Suva rugby team in 1999 and also a member of Raiwaqa rugby team, said he was proud of his children’s success.“We are blessed,” he said.“When they were growing up, they would go to Ed’s Court every day to play from morning until the afternoon.“That was how they developed their skills and techniques of the sport and I thank Laisiasa Puamau who has really helped my children.”
The All Stars team will assemble in Canberra on Sunday to undertake a five-day training camp at the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) before heading up to Aubury in Australia where the team will compete in the Australian Country Basketball Cup.

Source: The Fiji Sun Newspaper