Bula To Be Laid To Rest Today

Former Ba football and na­tional striker Taito Bula­maicavai Tuwai (Bula) will be laid to rest today at Nailaga, Ba.

Fellow team mate at both levels Ba goal-keeper Iosefo Vosaboto while getting ready yesterday for the final funeral rites lamented on how football and Bula’s wife Joana helped the late Bula change for the better.

The duo grew up and played for Ba and Fiji in the late 1980’s.

“It was football and his wife Joa­na that changed the course of Bu­la’s life, he was the country’s most feared striker,” Vosaboto said.

“Football changed Bula and his wife made sure he stuck with foot­ball for the better,

He found a job and was a great family man,” he said.

“He started to support his fam­ily through his job and football.

“When football demanded that he performed he took the chal­lenge and never looked back; he was a great ball hunter and was sharp.

“His speed, uncanny dribbling skills, powerful right footer, ag­gressive approach and never-say-die attitude was a nightmare to defenders.

“Bula was a great striker that you will always want to play in the same team because of his flair.”

After playing a decade for Ba, Vosaboto, with Jope Namawa and Bula moved to play for Lautoka.

Bula played for the Blues for one season before he retired as a player and embarked as coach for Nailaga FC and Ba Legends FC.

Bula had passed away at his resi­dence in Nailaga Village Wednes­day last week.

He was 54.

He is survived by his wife Joana, five children and four grandchil­dren.

Vosaboto and fellow Ba Legends will carry Bula’s casket from his residence to the Nailaga Seven-Day Adventist church at 10am for the church service before he will be laid to rest.

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