‘He needed a father figure, and at that time his mother was in school so I took up the role to look after him-Ropate Robanakadavu

Ropate Robanakadavu saw it fitting to raise his nephew when he was only eight months old.

Without hesitation, Robanakadavu nurtured Pita Gus Nacagilevu Sowakula, not realising that one day he would one day don the Gallagher Chiefs jumper and play in Fiji.

Among the fans who greeted the Chiefs on arrival at the Nausori International Airport yesterday, Robanakadavu said at a young age Sowakula was always active and learnt how to kick the ball at Tagaqe District School in Nadroga.

Fijian born Chiefs flanker Pita Sowakula with with his uncle Ropate Robanakadavu at Nausori International Airport on June 27, 2018.
Photo: Ronald Kumar.

Robanakadavu added Sowakula last visited Fiji earlier this year but the whole family is looking forward to having him home again.

“He needed a father figure, and at time his mother was in school so I took up the role to look after him,” Robanakadavu said.

“He always loved rugby but I told him to participate in other sports which he did, and he was able to play basketball too.

“I was also a basketball player and he wanted to follow into my footsteps, so when he joined Lautoka Central College he took up the rugby.

“I kept telling him to always work hard for something that he is passionate about, so after basketball he went back to rugby and has stayed with the sport eversince.

“After playing for the Fiji basketball team, he joined the Hideaway team and was identified by Taranaki Coach Willie Rickards.”

Robanakadavu said he considers Sowakula as his own son and is proud of all he has achieved in life.

“We are proud of him and we know that he will perform well during the game against Highlanders this Saturday.

”They are playing in Chiefs territory.”

Edited by Osea Bola

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