The Fiji Times

CNMI forms Pacific Mini Games Committee

The Northern Marianas has started prepping for the 2022 Pacific Mini Games after forming an organising committee led by outgoing lawmaker Marco Peter. Peter represented the CNMI in the Pacific Games Council meeting in Samoa last year to reaffirm the commonwealth’s commitment to the event. He has been named by Governor Ralph Torres to serve...

Tonga Rugby looks to kick off new era

The Tonga Rugby Union is seeking a Chief Executive Officer, in a bid to kick-start a new future of stability for 2021 and beyond. The full-time role comes after the TRU signed a tripartite agreement with World Rugby and the Tonga government in September, after the global governing body had threatened to pull all financial...

Nadolo speaks – Big Fijian winger reveals situation in France

Flying Fijians prolific winger Nemani Nadolo has broken his silence on the Flying Fijians dismal Autumn Nations Cup hamstrung by COVID-19, saying the trip had been a genuine chance gone begging. Nadolo, who came out of international retirement, spoke to Rugby Pod, a rugby news agency, while at camp in France. “We actually came into...

Hunt still on for Fiji 7s replacements

Although the search was still ongoing for Vilimoni Botitu and Aminiasi Tuimaba replacements, Fiji 7s coach Gareth Baber said the hunt was still in its early days. “It’s still early too say,” Baber said. “Even when Tuimaba came into the squad, I didn’t know he was going to emerge the qualities that he had.” Baber...

2020 Fiji FACT: Rewa thumps Nasinu to book semi-final spot

The Rewa football side thumped Nasinu 7-nil at the Vodafone Fiji FACT today to seal top position in Group A. Bruce Hughes scored a brace while brother Setareki and France Catarogo added a goal each as Rewa led 4-nil at half time. Substitutes Simione Tamanisau, Sailosi Rayaqona and Shavnil Prasad added second half goals for...

2020 Fiji FACT: Nadi beats Navua

The Nadi football side beat Navua 4-1 at the Vodafone Fiji FACT underway at Subrail Park in Labasa. Navua took an early lead with a goal from Seveci Rokotakala. However Avinesh Waran Swamy equalized from the penalty spot as the teams rested tied 1-all. Sakaraia Naisua, Rusiate Matererega and Swamy added a goal each in...

Hurricanes utility excited to represent his Pasifika heritage

Hurricanes player, Vince Aso, is excited to represent his Samoan heritage, after being named in the first Moana Pasifika team. The All Black hopeful said playing for his nation of heritage would rule him out of New Zealand selection, so the Moana Pasifika provided a unique opportunity to represent his Samoan roots without that consequence....

Tennis Auckland to dip into reserves as $1 million lost by not having ASB Classic

Tennis Auckland chairman Simon Vannini believes the region can make it through the year without too much disruption, despite the $1 million lost from no ASB Classic. The WTA and ATP tournaments each January props up Tennis Auckland and makes it the most powerful of the six tennis regions. But the cancellation of this summer’s...

Sport stars pay tribute to Argentina football legend Diego Maradona

Brazilian football great Pelé has paid tribute to Argentina football legend Diego Maradona, who died aged 60. “What sad news,” Pelé said on Twitter. “I lost a great friend and the world lost a legend.” Maradona died from a heart attack after having brain surgery two weeks ago. He was among the best players ever and...

Soccer great, Maradona dies aged 60

Diego Maradona, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time before drug and alcohol addiction marred his career, died on Wednesday at his home in Argentina after suffering a heart attack, his lawyer said. He was 60. Beloved in his homeland after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and...

World Cup hosts to be decided by open vote as World Rugby approves changes

(Reuters) – The World Rugby Council on Tuesday approved recommendations by its World Cup Board for a more transparent process of selecting hosts for future men’s and women’s editions of the tournament, including an open electronic vote with results published. The sport’s global body said that after an interim meeting, it was decided that awarding...

2020 Fiji FACT: Weather improves, tournament to go ahead as scheduled

The 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT will go ahead as scheduled at Labasa’s Subrail Park. This has been confirmed by Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf. Yusuf said the Labasa Town Council workers were deployed last night to work on the ground. Meanwhile, rain has cleared in the Babasiga Town this morning. Four matches will...

Wales lose Moriarty but duo back in training ahead of England

(Reuters) – Wales have released injured loose forward Ross Moriarty from their squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Cup showdown with England in Llanelli on Saturday, but have welcomed back Josh Navidi and Taulupe Faletau to training. Moriarty failed to recover from an ankle injury that has kept him out of the autumn series of...

Extended squad named

A strong 71-member extended Fijiana XVs squad was announced by head coach Senirusi Seruvakula after the completion of the National 10s competition at Tavua’s Garvey Park last weekend. Seruvakula said the squad selected were the cream of women’s rugby players in the country who participated in the Fiji Rugby Union’s 2020 Skipper Cup, 2020 Vodafone...

Race for WC spots

Fijiana XV coach Senirusi Seruvakula said pressure was now on our local players to work hard for a spot in the Rugby World Cup squad with overseas players willing to turn down contracts to climb aboard on Fiji’s maiden voyage to the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Seruvakula said his phone had been ringing off...

Naiqama helps St Helens to 12th straight final

Fiji Bati skipper Kevin Naiqama scored a hat-trick for St Helens in their 48-2 win over the Catalans Dragons on Sunday. The win sees the defending champion play in a record 12th grand final of the Super League championship. Coach Kristian Woolf said they were outstanding. “I was really happy with the way we attacked,”...

FIFA to stage 22-team Arab Cup in Qatar

(Reuters) – FIFA has confirmed that Qatar will host an Arab Cup tournament in December next year which will feature 22 teams from around the region and act as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup in the Gulf State the following year. The global soccer body said that Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq,...

Champions message

The Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) Voices of the Athletes (VOA) program champions were in action at several sporting events held over the Diwali holiday. The VOA champions, with the focus mainly on the overarching message of “be a leader,” advocated to athletes participating in athletics, hockey and swimming. Athletics Fiji...

Top choice

National football team head coach Flemming Serritslev has rated southern rivals and neighbours Suva and Rewa as the teams to beat at the 2020 Vodafone Fiji FACT which continues at Subrail Park in Labasa today. Serritslev said it was an excellent start by both the teams in the first round of games played last week...

Former France and Stade Francais winger Dominici dies

PARIS (Reuters) – Former France and Stade Francais player Christophe Dominici, whose dazzling runs made him one of the country’s best wingers, has died aged 48, his former rugby club said on Tuesday. “It is with immense sadness that Stade Francais learns of the death of Christophe Dominici,” Stade Francais said in a statement. Dominici...

Return of fans brings new set of headaches for clubs

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – Fans can return to English football stadiums next week, ending an eight month absence due to COVID restrictions, but while the government’s decision to open the turnstiles has been welcomed it also presents a series of new headaches for clubs. The first hurdle clubs must clear will come on Thursday when...

Tuwai: Medal for every Fijian

Olympics gold medallist and sevens rugby star Seremaia (Jerry) Tuwai dedicated his Order of Fiji Medal to the Fijian people. The Fiji 7s halfback was bestowed the honour along with 32 other recipients during an investiture ceremony at the State House yesterday. “It was an honour to represent Fiji and I am grateful for the...

Man City will not rush Aguero back, says Guardiola

(Reuters) – Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has trained ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Olympiakos but the Argentine will not be rushed into action from hamstring and knee issues, manager Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday. Aguero sustained a hamstring injury in City’s 1-1 Premier League draw at West Ham United last month a...

Congested calendar, more injuries make game less entertaining – Zidane

MILAN (Reuters) – Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane believes football’s fixture overload is harming the sport’s entertainment value as his side prepare to face Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday with a squad depleted by injuries. Madrid will be without leading striker Karim Benzema and captain Sergio Ramos due to muscle injuries while...

Injury rules Black Caps bowlers out of West Indies tests

Black Caps all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has been ruled out of the upcoming test series against the West Indies due to bone bruising in his right-foot. He’s been replaced by Daryl Mitchell. Spinner Ajaz Patel’s left calf tear has improved, but not enough to be available for the first Test starting next Thursday in Hamilton,...

Ash Dixon to captain Maori All Blacks

Hawke’s Bay hooker Ash Dixon has been named to captain the Maori All Blacks in their one-off game against Moana Pasifika in Hamilton next month. The 24-strong squad includes eight new caps while former All Black loosie Liam Messam returns to the side for the first time since the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour....

2020 Fiji FACT: Suva beats Nadi

The Suva football side beat Nadi 3-2 and strengthened its chances of making the final four at the Vodafone Fiji FACT underway in Labasa today. Nadi scored first through Shivneel Pillay but the goal was cancelled out by a Christopher Wasasala equaliser as the teams rested tied 1-all at halftime. Sairusi Nalaubu grabbed a brace...

Nadolo: Flying Fijians eager for last remaining Autumn Cup match

Flying Fijians winger Nemani Nadolo has spoken out on the Flying Fijians situation in France saying the team members are in high spirits and eager for their last remaining Autumn Nations Cup match against Georgia. “If this was called off, I guess we would have been home already by now, but at this stage we...

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Wairiki 7s: 40 teams ready to go