Roy, Davis for 2018 Sports Awards

An interesting tussle looms at the 2018 Fiji Sports Awards.

In the Sportsman of the Year Award, the battle for the top spot is be­tween Wellington Phoenix football star striker Roy Krishna and Fiji Rugby Un­ion’s nominee of Alivereti Veitokoni.

In the Sportswoman of the Year, Fiji Football Association has nominated USA- based striker Trina Davis while other contenders are Rusila Nagasau of Fiji Rugby and swimmer Matelita Buad­romo.

Speaking at a press conference in Suva yesterday Fiji Sports Council chief exec­utive officer Litiana Loabuka said there are 91 nominees for the 11 categories.

“Plans are progressing well with the committee,” she said.

“They have started their work since last year and an extension was also given due to the bad weather we had experienced in late December and early January.”

Loabuka said nominations had been passed on to the judging committee.

Chief judge

“The committee is led by Matai Akau­ola. They will advise us once we have the final note but that goes to only one mem­ber in our committee,” she said.

The 2018 Fiji Sports Awards night will be on March 1 while the nominees night is on February 26.

“This is a special night that have been put aside to allow for more coverage and interactions for our sponsors and nomi­nees.

“We value our sponsors and the support they give us each year. This allows them to interact with the nominees for the dif­ferent categories that they are sponsor­ing.”

Loabuka was grateful to the sponsor­ship cheque presented by the director of Fiji Tattslotto, Sereana Brown.

Tickets on sale

“I acknowledged the late John Brown, the role that he plays as the director of Fiji Tattlotto. He is represented by his wife, Sereana Brown. She is the executive director for Fiji Tattlotto.

“It is my pleasure to announce that Fiji Tattslotto has come onboard again with a sponsorship of $30,000 for the awards.”

She said the tickets are on sale at the Fiji Sports Council office. It is $60 per head.

List of nominees

2018 Sportsman of the Year- Prabhat Pranil Prasad (Asia Pacific Taekwon­do), Kameli Saudaudua (Athletics), Roy Krishna (Football), Tevit Takayawa (Judo), Alivereti Veitokani (Rugby), Epeli Rabua (Swimming), Apisai Baleiloa (Fiji Taekwondo)

2018 Sportswoman of the Year- Joana Senimoli (Asia Pacific Taekwondo), Miriama Senokonoko (Athletics), Trina Davis (Football), Nathalyn Takayawa (Judo), Rusila Nagasau (Rugby), Matelita Buadromo (Swimming), Sally Yee (Table Tennis), Anegha Narayan ( Fiji Taek­wondo)

2018 Coach of the Year- Francis Nand (Asia Pacific Taekwondo), Benedito Qumi (Athletics), Seini Samson (Bas­ketball), Marika Rodu (Football), Vela Tawake (Rugby League), Senirusi Seru­vakula (Rugby), Sharon Smith (Swim­ming), Harvi Yee (Table Tennis), Sang Hyun Ra (Fiji Taekwondo).

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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