Flying Fijians to sing national anthem in iTaukei

The FIJI Water Flying Fijians will sing the national anthem in the Fijian rendition, 'Meda Dau Doka' before the Test match against France this Sunday.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed to the Flying Fijians that the Vosa Vakaviti version, entitled 'Meda Dau Doka,' embodies the spirit and deep meaning of the English version, 'Blessing Grant.'

For the first time in the history of Fiji Rugby that the Fijian version will be sung as part of the National Anthem prior to the kick-off of an international test.

FIJI Water Flying Fijians Captain Waisea Nayacalevu said “The team as a whole came up with the idea of singing the national anthem in i-taukei version which also reflects back to our goal of reconnecting to who we are and where we have come from."

“My respect to all the ethnic and to the multicultural country we are, the initial objective of the group is to reconnect back to our roots and our identity and singing the anthem in I Taukei is part of that reconnection," Nayacalevu said.

Head Coach Simon Raiwalui said it’s a player-driven idea.

"It is something that takes the players back to their roots of who they are and where they came from.," Raiwalui said.

The FIJI Water Flying Fijians will sing the i-taukei version followed by the English version of the national anthem in all the matches from now onwards.

FRU interim Administrator Simione Valenitabua announced that the FRU Trust, through its Interim Board of Trustees, has approved the request by the players and management of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians to sing the National Anthem in the i-taukei language.

Fiji will face France at 7am on Sunday.

i-Taukei lyrics of the National Anthem

I

Meda dau doka ka vinakata na vanua

E ra sa dau tiko kina na savasava

Rawa tu na gauna ni sautu na veilomani

Biu na i tovo tawa savasava

Chorus:

Me bula ga ko Viti ka me toro ga ki liu

Me ra turaga vinaka ko ira na i liuliu

Me ra liutaki na tamata e na veika vinaka

Me oti kina na i tovo ca

II

Bale ga vei kemuni na cauravou e Viti

Ni yavala me savasava na vanua

Ni kakua ni vosota na dukadukali

Ka me da sa qai biuta vakadua