The official opening of the 2025 Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Basketball Championship took place yesterday at Yat Sen Secondary School Hall, graced by the presence of the Minister of Education Aseri Radrodro.
In his speech, he emphasised the importance of sports in reflecting the national spirit of determination, passion, and resilience.
Radrodro highlighted the history of basketball in Fiji, tracing its origins back to the 1960s.
“Basketball has a rich and storied history in this great nation, a history that begins with a simple passion in the 1960s and has since grown into a powerful force within our schools and communities,” said Radrodro.
“It is a competition that produced some of the best players in Fiji from schools like Marist Brothers, Yat Sen Secondary, Adi Cakobau School, Suva Grammar School and many others.
“Many of these athletes have gone on to represent Fiji with pride in the Pacific Games and FIBA Oceania tournaments such as Marques Whippy, Pita Sowakula, and Mikaelar Whippy.”
Recognising the values of discipline and teamwork instilled by these schools through basketball, the Minister officially opened the Championship and wished all participating schools the best of luck in the upcoming three days of competition.
William Peters, the interim chief operating officer of Basketball Fiji, expressed excitement for this year’s competition with 25 schools participating.
He noted the readiness and enthusiasm of the teams, with the addition of a new school, Magodro Secondary School from Ba, providing them with valuable exposure at the national level.
Peters extended his best wishes to all the teams for the intense competition ahead, emphasising the opportunity for growth and development that the Championship offers.