THE time for new and aspiring volleyball players to take up the mantle in propelling the sport’s path forward in Fiji to greater heights has come.
These were the sentiments of seasoned Palau-based Fiji rep Sakiusa Naivana who participated in the Fiji Volleyball Federation’s Hot Bread Kitchen Easter Championship recently.
Naivana competed for Suva Blue during the two-day meet which ended on Saturday.
“We have a lot of hybrid, very tall, very explosive players but to come back and see the younger players now; the difference is there,” Naivana told this newspaper when asked of the changes he observed in players at the tournament.
“But I believe that this is the young people’s time; it’s their time, it’s their moment.”
With a vast array of robust volleyball talent exhibited by players from across the country, he also believed there was more to be done to help induce the change.
“Competition wise, I think if we can lift up the game again (with) more competition (and) a little more discipline on the side so that way we can see a future for the youth of Fiji,” he added.
He reflected on his stint in Palau and how the exposure was enhanced further at higher levels of the sport.
“I’ve been travelling for a while in volleyball and I had an opportunity to play some higher level volleyball and I had a chance to coach as well,” he shared.
He said while being appreciative of the experience he gained, he wished players in Fiji were able to have the exposure he had.
The experienced player was optimistic of the sport’s future, saying “there’s a better picture, a greater opportunity out there for volleyball.”
Naivana’s calling to serve on the court was heard in 2003 when he aimed to don the national jersey for indoor volleyball.
He attended Nabua Primary School and Ratu Sukuna Memorial School in Suva and had played for Fiji in 2012 for beach volleyball as well.
