HISTORY will be made on the global stage as the Fiji under-18 Women’s National Handball team prepares to fly the noble banner blue at the 2026 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship in Romania.
In a landmark achievement for the sport, the International Handball Federation (IHF) officially invited the side to represent the Oceania region following their stellar performance at the IHF Oceania Championship in the Cook Islands last October.
The Fijian side proved their mettle after clinching a hard-fought bronze medal against powerhouse Australia.
The tournament also heralded the arrival of a new sporting star in Elizabeth Colata. The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School track athlete was a standout, scooping both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Highest Goal Scorer awards in the youth category.
Handball Fiji president Sainimili Saukuru said the invitation was a watershed moment for the federation and women’s sport in the country.
“This moment represents more than participation; it is a testament to how far we have come.
“Sending our young women to Europe to compete against the world’s best signals the emergence of a new generation of talented Fijian female athletes ready to taste international level competition in this new sport,” Saukuru said.
The road to Romania
To ensure the squad is match-ready for the elite European competition, a high-performance pathway has been established. The preparation includes, intensive local training blocks, increased local competition frequency and high-performance preparation camps
Eye on Brisbane 2032
The journey to Romania is being viewed as the first step toward a much larger goal: the Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympics.
Handball Fiji has launched a campaign to support the team, noting that these athletes form the ‘foundation generation’ for future Olympic qualification.
The federation is now calling on the corporate community and the Fijian public to throw their support behind these young trailblazers as they prepare to take on the world’s best.
Esther Bola has her eyes on the goal. Picture: OCEANIA HANDBALL
Esther Bola in full flight against Australia during the 2025 Women’s IHF Trophy Oceania Youth in the Cook Islands last October. Picture: OCEANIA HANDBALL
MVP of the match, Eliabeth Colata. Picture: OCEANIA HANDBALL
