The Fijian netball fraternity is mourning the death of former national and Suva rep, Asenaca Rokoura, who will be laid to rest in Suva today.
Rokoura is the mother of former national netball captain and coach Unaisi Rokoura and Suva Rugby Union chairman, Aseri Rokoura.
Tributes for the Fijian netball legend came in streams on social media for one of the stalwarts of the game.
Former Netball Fiji president Wainikiti Bogidrau in her Facebook post, said, “Asenaca was a great sounding board, especially when the going got tough, always listened with a determined mind, she always reminded us to love and forgive,” Bogidrau wrote.
“She is from Cakaudrove, Bua, Macuata and and icon, stalwart, former national netball rep and mentor to so many others who donned the national dress and, or served Fiji at different leadership capacities.
“Undoubtedly, one of her greatest gifts to the sport is Una Rokoura, her daughter, a former rep, captain and national coach, who also had the opportunity to play alongside her mom and Elesi Ketedromo (mom’s sister) for Fiji in the 1990s.
“Una continues to serve the sport as the NetGo co-ordinator.
“Likewise, Lusi Rokoura, Naca’s daughter-in-law, a former Pearl and captain, is now the Netball Fiji secretary.
“Naca played premier grade netball for almost 50 years, 10 years as a national rep until she decided to give up her bibs to upcoming and younger talent.
“She then joined the headachecrew in the masters grade and we played some serious games with so much fun and colour, lingo included the brown water on the side and chimney gang on standby.
“Who will forget the ‘Bongo lessons’ during our picnic trips? And all those trips around the country to play for ‘king & country’ where we teamed up with the Red Diamond queens before we joined the Quartier Vixens.
“Thank you for the love shared after Seta passed. Isaa Naca, so many memories of great times we had.
“You have fought the good fight Naca, have won the race and have rightfully earned a place in His Kingdom. Moce mada Naca.”
The funeral service is expected to start at 10am at her residence in Nabua, Suva, before she is buried at the Suva Cemetery.
