The esteemed 71-year-old Sukuna Bowl was damaged during the fire at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) 3FIR building at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Nabua, in December, last year.

Sources have indicated that the tanoa was among items caught in the fire.

On Friday, a senior military officer admitted that the tanoa was in the complex when it caught fire.

“There is some protocol that needs to be followed before we can release any information,” the officer said.

“We haven’t done any traditional protocol yet. We will have to wait for Prime Minister (Voreqe) Bainimarama’s return before we can proceed.”

Attempts to get a comment from 3FIR Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Penioni Naliva, were unsuccessful by the time this edition went to press. 

RFMF Commander, Brigadier-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, was also unavailable to comment.  

The Tanoa was given by the late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna in 1951 to create a common ground where differences could be settled between the Fiji Police Force and the RFMF. 

This was to foster brotherhood between the two forces. 

The annual rugby clash was often held with pride and honour from both camps. RFMF pipped Police 18-17 last year to win it for the 27th time at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, a week before the fire. Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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