Twelve Fiji U20 rugby players who faced visa issues have been cleared to travel to Cape Town to join their teammates.
The players include Sivaniolo Lumelume, Josefa Ubitau, Matai Tuisireli, Iliesa Erenavula, Nemani Kurucake, Waisake Salabiau, Aisea Nawai, Iowane Vakadrigi, Anare Cagi, Benjamin Naivalu, Ebenezer Navula, and Malakai Masi.
Assistant U20 head coach Cohan Politini confirmed the players’ visas have been approved. Ten players will depart today, while the remaining two will fly out tomorrow. They will travel from Nadi, transiting through Auckland and Dubai, before arriving in Cape Town.
Nineteen-year-old Anare Cagi, from Moala, Nadi, attributed their success in securing visas to the power of prayer.
“When they told us that there was a problem with our visas, we were disheartened at first, but we didn’t give up, we prayed and we read the Bible and fasted and we thanked God for his guidance and giving us this opportunity to travel to Cape Town,” Cagi said.
He started his rugby journey at Kaji rugby competition before moving on to Ratu Navula College and joining the Nadi rugby U20 team before joining the Nadi rugby senior team this year.
“We are ready to play South Africa and give them a good game,” Cagi concluded.
The Baby Flying Fijians are scheduled to play against the host country, South Africa, on Sunday morning. When asked if the limited time to acclimatise and the weather might affect their performance, Politini responded confidently.
“What we put in place are some exercises focussing more flexibility and stretching sessions when we reach Dubai and ensuring that we get enough sleep because of the 14-hour difference,” Politini said.
