World stage exposure builds Fiji’s young handballers

Fiji’s under-18 women’s handball team is using lessons from its international campaign in Romania to build a stronger pathway for the country’s next generation of players.

The team competed at the International Handball Federation (IHF) Championship in Romania last month, gaining valuable exposure despite results not going its way.

Handball Fiji (HF) head of delegation Lusi Rokoura said the experience provided important lessons for future international campaigns.

“The overall results did not come our way, but they were the results and experience that we needed in order to pave the way forward for future youth players to represent us in the next world championship,” she said.

“We had a lot of challenges, but we’re so grateful for the opportunities.”

The team played an exhibition match against the open women’s side at the University of the South Pacific gymnasium on Saturday as part of an event to thank its sponsors.

The Chinese Embassy in Fiji was the team’s major sponsor.

“We’re grateful for their sponsorship during our stay in Hong Kong, where we had to get our visas done,” Rokoura said.

The team spent a week in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region before travelling to Romania.

During its stay, the side also played a friendly match against the Hong Kong under-18 team, providing further international match exposure.

“We also thank the Government of Fiji for stepping in at the 11th hour to assist us as well,” she said.

“The event is just a show of appreciation and our return on investment to our major sponsors.”

Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Suva Wang Yuan said further training and international exposure could help Fiji’s handball teams improve.

“Through the competition, you gained valuable experience and also showed determination and perseverance,” he said.

“I believe that you will achieve better results next time.”

Mr Wang said sport could also bring Fiji and China closer despite the distance between the two countries.

“The Chinese Embassy in Fiji stands ready to continue supporting the development of sports in Fiji,” he said.

“Let us work together to take the friendship between China and Fiji even further.”

Mr Wang wished Handball Fiji greater success in the future.