Former national netball reps Vasiti Vugakoto and Unaisi Rokoura were one of the 48 outstanding Fijians who were awarded with the Fiji 50th Independence medals at the State House, Suva, on Monday.

Vugakoto and Rokoura both have more than three decades of representing Fiji in netball.

The duo have picked up from where their late mothers Tuipolotu Vugakoto and Asenaca Rokoura have left.

Vugakoto represented Fiji when she was 16 to the 1987 World Cup in Scotland, she and Rokoura are also former national captains.

“It is an honour to be acknowledged for our contribution to netball,” Vugakoto said.

The netball duo was part of the nine women who also received medals on the day.

Former netball president Wainikiti Waqa was awarded the medal last week.

Monday was the last investure ceremony to be carried out by President Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote.

“Today’s consecration ceremony of the order of Fiji awards fulfils and successfully concludes one of my literary duties in this office, which is to honour, acknowledge and reward each individual and collective support for our beloved nation,” Konrote said.

Konrote also acknowledged the College of Honour for ensuring that all nominations were carefully assessed and vetted.

The College of Honour chairperson is Akanisi Kedrayate.

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