‘Zero Tolerance on Violence against Women and Children’ will be the theme of the 2018 Ratu Sukuna Bowl Challenge which was launched at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Nabua, Suva yesterday.

And the children will officially open the 67th Ratu Sukuna Bowl Challenge set for November 17- 23 at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

The challenge was incepted to foster the spirit of togetherness of the two forces, Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and the F.iji Police Force.

Speaking during the official launching, Commander Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto said they are confident of defending their title this year.

“We have faith in our team and the management to do wonders for the RFMF,” he said.

“We would like to dedicate this tournament to the women and children of Fiji.

“We are working closely with the United Nations agencies and the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation on ways to create awareness.

“The Ratu Sukuna Bowl Challenge is a perfect opportunity and platform to create awareness and deliver the message.

“Our games will be officially opened by our children.

“We feel that it is a great opportunity for us to deliver the message because it’s really saddening to know that Fiji is ranked second in the Pacific and fifth in the world in the statistics in violence against women and children.

“We thank God for the win last year as it took us awhile. And the win last year is something that we enjoy so much that we can’t let go.”

Meanwhile, Assistant Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu accepted the challenge from the RFMF.

“I would like to issue the challenge to our brothers from the RFMF who I know are still bragging being the temporary customary champion of the Ratu Sukuna Bowl,” Tudravu said.

“I would like to thank our major sponsor ANZ for their endless support for this tournament and also the co-sponsors.

“We look forward to the Ratu Sukuna Bowl Challenge week for the top orders.

“We also acknowledge the commend made by the 2018 Ratu Sukuna joint community and the guidance from the Commander RFMF to dedicate this year’s tournament to fighting Zero Tolerance on Violence against Women and Children.”

Koroivueta: Stand Up For Women, Children

The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Dr Josefa Koroivueta, said the Ratu Sukuna Bowl competition had taken a new dimension which had never been seen in Fiji before.

He said from the ministry’s perspective this was the kind of leadership stand that “we as a country should battle well to fight violence against women and children.”

Dr Koroivueta who was also a chief guest at the Ratu Sukuna Bowl launch at the Queen Elizabeth’s Barracks (QEB) yesterday said, was so delighted with the stand taken by the defence forces.

“It is a stand that calls for action and other institutions will be taking part in because eliminating violence against women should be top driven. It should be leadership driven and it should be propagated from the top down to the bottom n for Fiji it will make a difference.”

He said when they looked at the social dimension of the country it was not a rosy picture and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama had labeled it as a national shame.

This he said was a manly issue and he would like to call out to all the men that they needed to stand up for the women and children.

“If we don’t then who else would.”

Edited by Osea Bola

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