Coach Chand hopes for improved outing next year

Despite not having a proper badminton hall, Lekutu Secondary School (LSS) athletes from Bua made it to the Badminton Fiji secondary school’s tournament.

Teacher and coach Kunal Pravishay Chand said they have been participating for the second year in a row.

Chand brought four athletes; Viema Rumasakea, Ilisapeci Tagici, Shiaan Kumar and Daniel Raj Kumar.

Tagici also played last year; she qualified for the round of 16 eliminations.

They were the lone school from the North at the three-day competition.

“Coming from a school not well-known for badminton is quite difficult to get funding for transportation; so we can only get a few students,” Chand said.

“We don’t have a training facility – just an open field. We’re competing at a higher level now so we’ll need to come back stronger next year.

“We usually depend on sponsors and donations for materials and equipment.”

Kumar, 13, was excited to participate at the national school meet.

He was motivated by his parents to take up the sport.

“We did not know much about the rules but we’re happy to play against top schools,” he said.

“I have also learnt some skills that I will take it back with me. I want to come back next year and improve and try to win.”

Yat Sen School dominated the teams’ competition winning both the girls and boys division. Swami Vivekananda College was second and third in the girls’ and boys’ division, respectively. International School Suva was third in the girls compettion while the boys finished second