Sports News in Brief
Fiji tour
THE Saint Mary's under-13 rugby league side from Australia will have a one match tour of Fiji on September 22. Fiji National Rugby League interim administrator Tomi Finau said the team would play a match with the Ratu Latianara U13 rugby league side. He said the tour was a healthy relationship between the New South Wales-based side and Fiji. "They have been coming to Fiji for a couple of years now and this year they will play with the Ratu Latianara side," Finau said. "Having overseas clubs or teams come over for such matches helps with the development of the sport here in Fiji."
Titile defence
THE Lami side will begin preparations for their premier division Inter-District Championship title defence this weekend. The team management has named 35 players to begin training from this weekend. The following players are to attend training at Albert Park from today. Latchman Nathan, Hunjan Nair, Sailasa Vosaicake, Goerge Hanfiro, Patrick Wise, Sarwan Sahai, Vinesh Lal, Daniel Hanfiro, Laisenia Raitoto, Marlon Mamania, Amit Singh, Mangi Oro, Mark Rokobuli, Dannis Wise, Assistosh Shelvin Ram, Sanjay Goundar, Ashwin Chand, Taraiasi Cama, Milio Raiyawa, Frank Raminu, Nazir Hussein, Navin Reddy, Jay Nate Kairi, Shamil Kumar, Jashneel Prasad, Keshmeer Makun, Manjit Lal, Krishneel Dass, Avinesh Gounden, Atish Chand, Dinesh Chand, Rohit Kumar, Malachi Houmaesiuhi, Kelvin Anthony and Daniel Dass. "Disciplinary action will be taken against players who fail to turn up," said Lami FA secretary Rajesh Narayan.
Tanoa challenge
THE Tagitupou Tanoa challenge will have more international teams compete against the local teams from next year. Only the NZ Fijians U17 side is coming for the challenge on Thursday next week but FNRL intern administrator Tomi Finau said more international teams would come next year. "This is because this has become an international competition and more teams have shown their interest in playing here," Finau said. "So we are keen on offers and we will send out more invitations after next week's challenge," he said. Islands Electric Lautoka Crushers, Sigatoka Electric Sabeto Roosters, Lami Steelers, Davuilevu Knights and Narere Tigers are the local teams in the challenge. "It is good to have overseas teams come in and play our locals because it will help with the development of the sport at age grade," Finau said.
Visitors win
THE national women's High Performance (HPU) hockey side succumbed to the visiting New Zealand Masters once again at the National Hockey Centre in Laucala yesterday. The local side lost 0-3 despite putting up a strong fight to hold their much experienced opponents. The NZ Masters, which is touring Fiji as part of their program to develop the island nation teams, will play its final match against the Fiji HPU tomorrow at 2pm. Fiji HPU coach Shaun Corrie said they were pleased with the experience the players had gained against some of the best in the game. Corrie said the team had been playing well and improving. "It's a good experience for the girls playing in the competitive environment and we hope this will help improve their performance."