The stirring Fiji Bati pre-match hymn “Noqu masu” (My prayer) has moved many fans and players to tears.
The yearning in the voices of the Bati team as they sought divine intervention from the Almighty, has touched the hearts of many from when it was introduced in 2008.
But how did this hymn come to be the chosen ode of the Bati players?
Many do not know how and why it all started until now.
Fiji Bati assistant coach Jone Wesele was one of a few people who decided to make the hymn, which translates to ‘My prayer’ as their very own.
He said they chose the hymn and discarded the use of the iTaukei war chant “Quruquru vatu”.
Even today, the former Fiji Bati rugger leads the players in the hymn on the field before each game, his heavy voice ringing the loudest in the huddle.
“The most significant part of ‘Noqu masu’ is God — the supernatural,” Wesele said.
“In 2008, there was a discussion on ‘Quruquru vatu’ in regard to faith and its cultural aspect. Before 2008 we were camping at the FTG in Nasinu and one afternoon I was called in by the team management in regards to the song.
“At first the idea was to have an action chorus but it was too long in the allocated timeframe to have cultural items before a match. So we decided to sing a song and ‘Noqu Masu’ was decided by the players.
“The hymn was taught to the boys in 2007 when we invited the former general secretary for the Methodist Church, the Reverend Ame Tugauwe for the jersey presentation for the match against the Junior Kangaroos. At the same time, we were taught the ‘Quruquru vatu’.
“So it’s not a coincidence when it was brought up in 2008 when I was asked to choose between the two.”
Wesele said they had to tweak the hymn a little to meet the allotted timeframe.
He added the song was about building positive vibes “not just within but outside our circle”.
