Editorial:

It’s been a great week for women administrators in sports. Often they’re always seen working hard behind the scene but now their dedication and commitment have seen them emerge into decision making roles in the sporting organisations that they are involved with.

On Tuesday night, during the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee’s (FASANOC) annual general assembly Makarita Lenoa was voted in as president.

Lenoa is the chairperson of the FASANOC Sports Education Commission and takes over from Joe Rodan (Snr), who served in the position for the past four years. She is the second female to hold the post of president for FASANOC, following the footsteps of the late Sophia Raddock who held the position from 1988 to 1996.

Lenoa is a World Karate Federation (WKF) executive committee member and was a former Oceania Karate Federation president.

FASANOC chief executive officer Lorraine Mar welcomed the new FASANOC president indicating that she is looking forward to working closely with her.

And on Thursday, during the Fiji Football Association Congress at the Fiji Sugar Cane Growers Council hall in Lautoka Naziah Ali-Krishna was appointed to the Fiji FA Board. She joins women football director Susan Wise in the Fiji FA Board.

Naziah, who is a journalist and owner of MaiLife Magazine, is the wife of Wellington Phoenix star striker Roy Krishna. After being elected, Naziah told this newspaper of her plans to help develop women football in the country.

Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel said it was great for Naziah to come on board and support women’s football development.

This is a proud moment for us as Lenoa and Naziah have now joined Cathy Wong, who is Oceania Rugby’s first female representative to the World Rugby Council, and Mere Rakoroi, who is currently a Fiji Rugby Union board director.

Big setback

The recent death of Peni Musunamasi is a big setback for rugby league in the country.

During thse tumultuous years when rugby league in the country was ailing, Musunamasi used every connection he had to keep it going. Without money, he gave the bottom flat of his Nadera home to the Fiji National Rugby League to use as an office. Not only that, he footed most of the expenses incurred during that time. There were many trying times, but this Naioti, Kadavu, native did not give up.

Even during his retirement, Musunamasi was still actively involved with the sport in trying to ensure that we’ve a team of local-based players participating in the NSW Cup competition by 2020 or beyond.

It’s sad that Musunamasi will not be there to see this materialise but this should inspire the current FNRL board of directors to make it happen in his memory.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj