“Planning to not retain the Ratu Sukuna Bowl trophy this year would be a straight out lie.”
That’s the declaration of defence from Acting Commissioner of Police, Aporosa Lutunauga while accepting the challenge from their counterparts at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces when the Vodafone 2025 Ratu Sukuna Bowl competition was launched yesterday.
The competition was launched at the Nasova Police Barracks in Suva.
Lutunauga said while the force was aware of the progress in their counterpart’s preparations, the men from Nasova would enter the competition this year donning the underdog tag.
“Thanks to modern technology and the quick dissemination of information we see from your Facebook posts, there have been an increase in the number of training camps by various RFMF units and divisions,” Lutunauaga remarked.
“While we are coming in as always with the underdog tag, to say that we are not going to retain the trophy would be a straight out lie.”
Prior to Lutunauga’s address, Lieutanant-Colonel Viliame Draunibaka, speaking on behalf of the RFMF, said while the force does not carry the weight of recent victories, they were held firmly by the values that defined them.
“The Republic of Fiji Military Forces may not carry the weight of recent victories, but we remain anchored in what truly defines us,” Draunibaka mentioned.
“Our values, loyalty, discipline, courage and a deep commitment to serve our nation, to guide us forward both on and off the field. We enter this challenge as underdogs and we embrace it.”
Meanwhile, the Ratu Sukuna Bowl competition is sponsored by Vodafone Fiji, with its head of recharge and distribution, Nilesh Singh, also present at the launch yesterday.
“It is important, it is critical that we, as members, we are keeping in mind that the event is not just about the game.
“It is about the theme, how we are fighting, united against drugs and HIV, united by our love for rugby.” He added the match would celebrate heroes.
The Sukuna Bowl challenge will be held at Subrail Park in Labasa from November 20-21.
Prior to that, other sports will be played in Suva from November 17-19.
The Sukuna Bowl football competition is scheduled to be held on November 20
The day after the much-anticipated Service Women’s Rugby and the main Ratu Sukuna Bowl Rugby Challenge will get underway.
Both the soccer and rugby matches will be held at Subrail Park in Labasa.
Police are the defending champions for both the soccer and rugby competitions.
