Local sports in brief
James chases award
2008 FASANOC Sports Personality nominee James Bolabiu has continued with his growing Referee Portfolio at the IRB World Sevens series in Welling-ton and San Diego. Bolabiu officiated in the San Diego sevens much anticipated cup quarterfinal match between South Africa and New Zealand. The young man from Kadavu is amongst favorites to win the 2008 FASANOC Sports personality of the Year award. Bolabiu was nominated for 2008 Sports Personality of the Year award because of his outstanding performance during the 2007/08 IRB World sevens series. Manueli Tulo from Weightlifting, Vodafone Fiji Bati World Cup coach Josaia Rabele, Digicel National Sevens Coach Iliesa Tanivula and sensational Golfer Vijay Singh are in the running for the award.
Ali wins it for Devils
UTILITY Siga Ali's brace helped Navua's Red Devils overcome Nadogo 2-1 in the Fiji FA Futsal Champ-ionship final on Wednesday night. National rep Ali scored the winner on the stroke of fulltime as Red Devils collected the $700 top prize while Dinesh Mudaliar's Nadogo settled for $300. Last month Red Devils scooped the Fiji FA Beach Soccer title in Suva after beating Suva's Combine Brot-hers. Red Devils manager Krishnil Sharma said adding the national Futsal crown to Navua's trophy cabinet was a major achievement for the players. In the semis, Red Devils beat Civic 3-2 while Navua upset Greenspace 3-1 to win the women's grade and $150 prize-money. Fiji FA Futsal Commission secretary Jay Sukhu said the standard of competition improved greatly from the knock-out stages.
Daneric turns heads
NATIONAL tennis rep Daneric Hazelman is making the headlines in the United States after being sele-cted in the elite group at the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI). Hazelman, the former Fiji junior champion, is on International Tennis Federation scholarship in Roswell. National coach Naga Reddy said Hazelman has done well in New Mexico and is playing top grade tennis. He is part of the Mini Games squad.