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Sports
Updated: Monday, February 18, 2008
Fiji is a very sports oriented island nation.
Though some areas of life in Fiji are hampered by the fact that technological developments are not widespread, sports is not. Fiji’s youth generally grow up well-versed in a number of sports. Schools and educational facilities offer extra-curricular activities including swimming, rugby, soccer, hockey, netball and athletics.
Rubgy is the most popular sport - both at junior level and in the senior codes. In fact, the 7’s code is a national passion, followed religiously by the entire nation.
Pre-match rugby ritual
Soccer also generates a lot of passion, especially among people of Indian ethnicity. The sport generates a higher gate-taking when it comes to local tournaments.
In Fiji's tropcial climate, rugby and soccer are played all year round, whenever and wherever players see fit - in school playgrounds, in fields, backyards, front lawn, office car parks, on the beach, up in the hills and even by the roadside. As long as there’s a stretch of space to accommodate two teams, the game is on!
Soccer action at Ba's Govind Park
Cricket is beginning to gain greater popularity with the young - in fact Fiji's under-19 cricket team were placed third in Asia-Pacific championships in July.
To put it simply, Fiji caters for most sports available in countries all over the world - except the ones that may be unfavourable due to climate, geography, finance, resources or exposure. So you won't find any skiing here and certainly no ice hockey!
Hockey action at National Hockey Turf
The Fiji Sports Council will have records and information that will detail the various sports and sporting facilities in Fiji, and will also highlight the popularity of the sport or lack of it if need be.
Other popular sporting activities include:
- Tennis, bowling, squash, volleyball, cycling, basketball, table tennis and car racing. There’s also indoor activities that cater for martial arts, judoka, boxing and weightlifting. Athletics and the combination sports such as triathlons and decathlons are growing in popularity.