BEING turned down for sponsorships by business houses and reputable persons did not stop the Labasa Netball Association from getting themselves to Suva for the Battle of the Netters 2025.
The revived netball tournament began yesterday at the National Netball Centre in Laucala Bay, Suva.
The association’s president Mere Dilawe Tikoibua said they managed to raise funds with the support of their families and friends, right down to the last minute.
“We were not able to get sponsors on board, we had approached business houses and also top people back in Labasa, but we, unfortunately, we were declined by many,” Tikoibua explained.
“We did fundraising back in Labasa; kava barrels, selling food, even to the very last day, the day that we had to depart, we still had to go and do our last minute fundraising (by) selling food just to help pay off our uniforms and some other little food expenses that we had to cover.”
Getting past their pre-competition hurdles, she said the team was happy for the opportunity to be part of the tournament.
“It is indeed an honour to be part of this event again after so many years,” she said.
“It feels good, feels great to play against teams and as we all know, this is the Battle of the Netters.
“It took us about two months to prepare for this competition day. With the preparations, the training; it was done by the players themselves back in Labasa as well as fundraising for our uniforms.”
Labasa is fielding three teams in the tournament, which are two women’s open teams and a men’s team.
Their aim in participating is to acquire much-needed exposure and to learn as much as they can in order to engage more of it when they return to Labasa.
The competition ends today.
