Fiji women’s handball squad targets world stage breakthrough

Fiji’s young women handball players are one step closer to making history after a 22-member national training squad was named for the International Handball Federation (IHF) Women’s Youth (Under-18) World Championship in Romania.

The tournament will mark a major milestone for Fiji, which will become the first Pacific Island nation to compete at the prestigious global championship.

Competition for places remains intense, with selectors set to trim the squad to a final 16-member travelling team on June 22.

The successful players will carry the hopes of Fiji and the wider Pacific region into a 32-nation tournament featuring some of the world’s top emerging handball talent.

Fiji faces a daunting challenge after being drawn in Group A alongside handball powerhouses Croatia, France and Egypt. The championship will run from July 29 to August 9 and will also feature defending champions Spain.

Fiji and Mexico are the only debutants in this year’s competition.

Head of Delegation Lusi Rokoura said the squad was ready to embrace the challenge.

“Our young, fast-improving squad is stepping onto the world stage proud, determined, and ready,” Ms Rokoura said.

“But their journey is about much more than handball. This is about youth empowerment, breaking barriers for women in sports, and flying the Fiji flag on the global stage.”

“We are calling on corporate Fiji, our sporting stakeholders, and the Government to stand firmly behind these incredible young women.”

Competing under the campaign theme “Rising From the Islands to the World Stage,” the team hopes its historic appearance will inspire future generations of athletes.

Handball Fiji believes the campaign will also help build the high-performance pathway needed to strengthen Fiji’s ambitions for future international competitions, including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

The 22-member squad includes players from across the country covering all key positions, including goalkeepers, wings, pivots and backs.

Fiji’s final squad will be confirmed next month as preparations intensify for the country’s historic debut on the world stage.