Raiwaqa Basketball Players Association Interlane Tournament took this Easter weekend by storm showcasing talented youngsters — some as young as nine years of age.

The annual basketball tournament hosted by the Raiwaqa Basketball Players Association has always been a ‘big deal’.

Since the late 70s and 80s, Raiwaqa continues to produce Fiji reps in the sport.

Basketball plays a significant part in bridging neighbourhoods — bringing players and their families together.

The week-long tournament even attracts players from outside – invited to join clubs within Raiwaqa. If you haven’t played at the Raiwaqa’s Ed’s Court then you haven’t really played basketball and this year’s tough interlane tournament proved just that.

The completion featured teams that included Spowart, Jazz, Mighty Derricks, Bryceland, Davui Magic, Lucy’s, Police, Lane, Bulldogs and Crossroads in the open men’s and women’s grade, U17, boys and girls, U13 and U10 grades.

Former Raiwaqa Fiji reps and families showed up in huge numbers to offer support as usual. Developing players at a young age is an epitome of every Raiwaqa interlane competition.

The association said 39 teams competed, a total of 80 games and more than 10 teams registered.

This year’s champions, Crossroads, beat Jazz 32-29 in the men’s epic final. The side was the team to watch over the two-day competition as they dominated their pool games.

The club also won the women’s final after beating Spowart 16-9. Crossroads team skipper Josua Qalova said although the team only had a week to prepare for the tournament, the players were able to perform because they had been playing together since they were nine-year-olds.

“Many of us were born in Raiwaqa and grew up playing basketball together. So, getting the boys together was the easy part since most of us knew each other,” the Kadavu lad said.

Crossroads won three of its pool games and lost one, they beat Lucy’s Lane in the quarter-finals and won over Mighty Derricks in the semi-finals, and then faced Spowart in the final.

“Apart from all that, it brings the whole community together to get involved in something worthwhile.

“Here we encourage healthy lifestyles for the younger children and even other career pathways from some players.”

Qalova says the sport and the tournament have developed over the years, bringing development to the people and youths in Raiwaqa.

“I’ve been in the team for a very long time and from what I have seen, the sport has really helped the community in development, bringing more youths involved in sports.”

Meanwhile, Spowart won the under-10 mixed final after beating the Bulldogs 8-3.

The under-13 girls grade was won by Crossroads while Spowart won the boys final.

The under-17 girls title was won by Davui while Crossroads took the boys final.

Tournament co-ordinator Mataika Koyamainavure said the competition between the teams was very tough.

“We expect the competition to be tough every year and that was what we have been witnessing over the past few days,” he said.