Key player
VETERAN Lemeki Rakanace will be one of Makoi Bulldogs key players in their premier grade semi-final clash against Dee Cees Nadera Panthers at Lawaqa Park today. The 27-year-old has been with the Fair Trade-sponsored side since the club was formed in 2002. Bulldogs coach Maika Vunivere believes Rakanace's experience will prove handy in the do-or-die match. "His experience is irreplaceable and he will be one of our key men in our bid to make our first final appearance," Vunivere said.
Hockey meet
THE Lautoka Hockey Association will resume its 7-a-side tournament at the Nadovu grounds today. This is after two matches in the men's round robin competition were not completed last week. LHA secretary Martin Coffin said they would start off with the remaining games. He said the semi-finals and final would be played after that. "After the completion of last week's tournament, we would stage another 7-a-side tournament," Coffin said.
Top seed
CARPENTERS Airfreight Nadi International Airport supervisor Suren Pillay is the top seed for the Sigatoka Valley Spares-sponsored 18 holes stroke event that will be played at the Lautoka Golf Club today. Pillay won the Expro Pty Ltd of Australia-sponsored tournament last week. Vinesh Murthi will be the favourite for the overall nett division. LGC captain James Krishna said the course was in top condition. He said today's tournament was sponsored by ardent golfer Subhas Ram.
Title defence
VETERAN Rajen Singh will be out to defend the A grade title when the Ba Golf Club Championship starts at the Rarawai course tomorrow. Singh, the greenkeeper is a former Ba Open winner. Asish Chand is the defending champion in the B grade while Dinesh Maharaj holds the C grade title. BGC committee member Jyoti Lal said they were thankful to Salesh Singh of Metal Works and Joinery Limited for the sponsorship. The event will tee off at 10.30am.
Uate honoured
FIJIAN-born Newcastle Knights rugby league winger Akuila Uate was named the NRL Winger of the Year during the Dally M Awards at Town Hall in Sydney on Tuesday night. As expected, Ben Barba won the Dally M medal. Uate put on a strong performance for the Knights in the latter stages of the NRL competition to earn him a spot in the Dally M NRL team.
Snooker battle
A TOTAL of 56 players will gather today in Suva to compete in what is expected to be one of the biggest snooker tournaments in recent times. The Export Freight Services Golden Cue Open Championship has over 20 players, more than the number that took part in the national ranking tournament. Because of the large number of the entries, the tournament will be played over two days at five venues — Merchant Club, Defence Club, Fiji Club, United Club and Union Club. An under 15 and a veterans tournament will also be played on Sunday.