FORCES SUPPORT BASKETBALL FIJI

For the first time ever, members of the Forces, the Army, Police and Prisons gathered at the Prisons and Correctional Services Bure in Korovou this morning to raise funds for the New Caledonian bound Fiji Under 20 basketball teams.

The initiative which was the idea of Commissioner of Police and also of the Prisons and Correctional Services, Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua managed to collect over $800.

Mr Naivalurua is also the President of the Basketball Fiji.

Officers from the three disciplines came in numbers this morning to take part in the fundraising drive which will assist both the men’s and women’s under 20 outfit compete at the Oceania U20 basketball championships scheduled in Noumea at the end of the month.

Mr Naivalurua said that this team began preparations in early January and is perhaps one of the best prepared teams ever for basketball as it also had the assistance of the Prisons and Police department.

“We are confident and know with a degree of certainty these teams will return with success.”

He also hinted the possibility of both signing MOUs with Basketball Fiji as it would be beneficial to align themselves with a sporting body as members of the disciplined force and the benefits will flow both ways.

Head of Delegation for the tour Captain Ned Taito thanked the officers for attending the drive and told those present that the attendance of Prison officers through their Yellow Ribbon and sports programmes and also Police men and women during their training sessions was a solidifying and uplifting factor for team members.

“Never in the lives of these young men and women did they experience members of the Forces coming out of their way to help them during training or coming to watch them in uniforms while they trained,’’ said Mr Taito.

“It helped unite them towards our cause and also inspired them to do well in training, so I want to thank you all for the support.”

Mr Taito said when he was appointed by the Basketball Fiji President Mr Naivalurua to lead the team he was tasked with the terms of reference that they must prepare and be treated like a national team.

“So that is how we have prepared them, so that they will also wear our black and white with pride at the tournament.”

The funds collected this morning will go towards the teams’ medical expenses and preparations in the coming two weeks before they depart.

Humourous entertainment provided by inmates kept those that gathered laughing throughout .

The team leaves on October 30th from Nadi for the weeklong tourney.




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