This year (2017) produced some great sporting moments. With our Fiji Airways Flying Fijians qualifying as Oceania’s No.1 to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan to Team Fiji’s performance at the recent Pacific Mini Games in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Here are some of the best sports quotes of 2017.

CHRISTOPHE GAMEL

“I am confident we can achieve anything if we built a house on a strong foundation. But we must be patient and logical. The team has real potential and I am sure that the players will fulfil my expectations. Alone we go faster but together we go further,” Outspoken Vodafone Fijian football head coach Gamel talks of their plans for the year.

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS (SBW)

“It’s what it is, you never want to be in that position and being a Polynesian I play very physically like the boys from the Fiji Islands do and you are always bound for something like that to happen. You never want to lose your physicality as a player and that’s what we are known for.

“I’m proud to be from the islands, my dad is from Samoa you just have to be careful it is going to happen from time to time but the more we train on techniques things like that can happen.” SBW in Fiji talks about the red card he copped during the second All Blacks v British Lions Test clash

BEN RYAN

“Osea is one of the finest players I’ve ever coached and easily the best captain. He is the most capped and most successful Fijian sevens player of all time. He has become an all-time great both in Fiji and in the world of sevens.

“Hugely talented and with a massive work ethic – he is a brilliant acquisition and will be a fine player on the field and a magnificent role model off it. A finer man you will not meet,” Former Fijian 7s head coach on Osea Kolinisau’s signing with Houston Strikers.

LEONE NAKARAWA

“It does not matter if you are a local or you are an overseas based player, this is the national team so everyone should play their part and to a certain standard,” the giant lock forward on their June Test matches.

RATUNAISA NAVUMA

“No pain, no gain in rugby. My arm was broken when I was playing for Cuvu College against Nadroga/ Navosa Provincial College in the Under-15 grade, hard luck I guess.

“It was bitter pain that day but it was fixed and massaged by the traditional healers from Nadroumai. But the shape of my arm has changed but it has not stopped me from playing rugby,” livewire hooker on his crooked arm as he has made the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians squad.

EILEEN CIKAMATANA

“My mum and dad have been the ones who have motivated me every day and have always given me words of encouragement. They’ve been there for me from the start and have not been able to attend any of the competitions that I compete in.

“So every time I go up on that stage they are the only two people who are in my mind and they’re the ones that I want to make proud because everything that I do, I do it for them. “I really want them to come and see me perform which is why I’m aiming to bring them to the Commonwealth Games next year, I would give anything to see them sitting in the stand watching me,” our young weightlifting sensation who has been smashing records this year.

JARRYD HAYNE

“We slayed a giant tonight! We prepared for it all week, we prepared for it all tournament. We laid the foundations in 2008 and we have seen the fruits in 2017. It’s an unreal feeling, it’s unbelievable,” Vodafone Fijian Bati rugby league star’s comment after an upset 4-2 win over New Zealand in the World Cup quarterfinals. – Edited by Grace Narayna

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