The 2025 Fiji Teachers Union (FTU) sports tournament, which was held at Lawaqa Park this week, went down to the wire.
The winning teams had to dig deep and rely on reserves in the gas tank as the going got tough, and when the dust settled at Lawaqa Park, three new winners were crowned at the 95th annual sports tournament.
There were upsets in the sports competition as well and valuable lessons were learnt.
Nadi emulated their 2016 success in Navua by winning the soccer title, beating Lautoka 2-1, which had Labasa district rep Edwin Sahayam.
Nadi’s goals were scored by the player of the final and Votualevu High School teacher, Sahil Naresh.
The host branch, Nadroga, retained the netball title, beating Rewa in the final.
Karishma Dass walked away with the best netball player award.
The men’s and women’s volleyball titles belonged to Suva and Rewa, respectively.
Suva, the most successful team in men’s volleyball in the FTU sports tournament, edged Bua two sets to nil to take back what belonged to them.
Wayne Fisher of Suva, who is a national volleyball rep, scooped the men’s volleyball best player award.
Rewa beat Suva to take the women’s volleyball title to the Delta Town for the first time.
Tavaita Daunakamakama of Rewa was awarded the tournament’s best women’s volleyball player award.
In the veteran’s football competition, the Southern veterans beat their counterparts from the North 1-0.
The Southern veterans also won the netball title, beating the Western veterans.
According to Assistant General Secretary, Rajnesh Lingam, all the games were played at Lawaqa Park and teams had come prepared for the intense battle on the field of play.
Branches had district reps playing for them in all sports.
He thanked the participating branches for their efforts and commitment.
He also thanked the host branch, Nadroga, for their organisation.
Lingam paid tribute to the Sports Committee for all the work done from day one until the completion. Ba will host the 2026 Annual Conference.
The best dressed netball team, Ba.
The Suva men’s and women’s volleyball teams and the men’s best volleyball player, Wayne Fisher.
Nadi soccer team with their spoils from the annual conference. Pictures: SUPPLIED
Lautoka settled for second best in the soccer competition.
The Southern team who won the veterans netball competition.
