IT is just the love for the sport that brings well known rugby commentator to communicate with the public through radio.
Graham Eden has been a rugby commentator in Fiji for 46 years and continues to bring commentaries to the homes of people.
Originally from New Zealand, he came to Fiji in 1961 as a school teacher at the age of 25.
"I came as part of an aid program and taught at Suva Grammar School," he said.
After his first contract expired, Eden renewed his contract and continued teaching and when it was time for him to go, he decided to stay in Fiji.
"It was wonderful teaching all the kids at Suva Grammar School," he said.
He became a Fiji citizen in 1970 and worked as a sales person for an Australian company.
"In 1978, it was suggested I should start my own business, it was another business and not this one (Tropical Leisure Creations), I worked in that business for 25 years until I retired," he said.
Since he was a physical education teacher and had been trained, he took a lot of interest in sports. He played rugby in New Zealand before coming to Fiji and continued playing while in Fiji.
"I actually played rugby when I came to Fiji. There were too many good people in the team and was hardly chosen to go and play overseas," he said.
He then became a referee in 1964.
"In 1965 somebody pinched my football boots and then I gave up refereeing and started rugby commentary in 1963." He started commentary first time with the South Pacific Games.
Since then he has been a well known rugby commentator and has been doing his work without free of charge.
After giving up commentating three years ago, he had a hip replacement operation.
When he came back, he was approached by Fiji Broadcasting Cooperation to be the commentator for the company.
"Having started with FBCL, I worked with CFL, I am back with FBCL," he said.
"I keep telling them that they have to find somebody for the gap I would like to create," he said.
According to Mr Eden, a commentator needs to know more about the sport than the public.
"I don't think there are many idle people out there who can speak authoritatively and feel that they know more about the sport," he said.
He said one has to be aware of the changing rules of the game.
Mr Eden said he has made a lot of friends through rugby and has no plans to return to New Zealand.
Although he loves rugby and has been associated with it for so many years, the sport close to his heart is cricket.
"Cricket is more close to me in my heart, there is no cricket in Fiji to commentate on," he said.
