STEPPING outside their comfort zones and trying new sports is the message from one of Fiji’s young handball representatives as she prepares to take on the world stage in Romania.
The Suva Grammar School Form 6 student, Adi Seinimili Logavatu, who hails from Lomanikoro in Rewa with maternal links to Yaroi, Matuku in Lau, is part of the Fiji Under-18 Women’s Handball Team that will create history as the first Pacific Island nation to compete at the International Handball Federation (IHF) Women’s Youth World Championship from July 29 to August 9.
Logavatu hopes the team’s historic campaign will inspire more young athletes to explore new sporting opportunities and not be afraid to try something different.
“Most of the young people are just really scared to try new sports, especially handball,” she said.
Her own journey has taken her from a developing sport in Fiji to the biggest stage of her young career, an experience she describes as both rewarding and memorable.
“I’m really happy and grateful for this opportunity. I’m also proud of the girls and how far we’ve come.
“It was not an easy journey, and with the funding, we also struggled a lot. But I’m really grateful for this opportunity and to represent my country.”
Beyond the court, the journey has also helped Logavatu develop important life skills, with time management becoming one of her biggest strengths as she balances national team commitments with her academic responsibilities.
As a Form 6 student preparing for her Year 12 examinations, she said the experience has strengthened her discipline, organisation and commitment.
“I think time management is one good key takeaway for me. As a student, it’s been really hard to balance sports and my academic work, especially with our Year 12 examination coming up.”
With Fiji drawn alongside Croatia, France and Egypt in Group A, Logavatu is looking forward to gaining experience, building friendships and learning from some of the world’s best young handball players.
“One of my key takeaways that I want to get out of this World Cup is to make friends and just enjoy my time there.”
The historic campaign has also strengthened her ambition to continue representing Fiji in future international competitions.
