The Vodafone Fiji Basketball Secondary Schools finals concluded with notable achievements. Marist Brothers High School claimed the under-19 boys title, edging out Yat Sen Secondary School with a narrow 28-24 victory. In the under-19 girls category, Suva Grammar School and Adi Cakobau School shared the championship after their match was disrupted by heavy rain.
Suva Grammar School’s girls dominated their under-17 final, defeating Gospel High School with a decisive 26-1 score. In the boys’ under-17 final, Yat Sen Secondary School triumphed over Suva Grammar School with a close 20-19 win.
The under-15 category saw International School, Suva conquer Tilak High School with a score of 25-13, while the girls from Suva Grammar School secured their title against Latter Day Saints College with a 15-4 victory.
Despite rainy conditions on the final day of the tournament, which took place on August 31, the players remained enthusiastic and proudly represented their schools.
At the event’s conclusion, Selina Kuruleca, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the resilience of the National Basketball Federation and emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to supporting basketball as a developing sport. She encouraged other schools to actively involve their students in basketball.
Kuruleca expressed gratitude to Vodafone for their sponsorship and appealed to corporate entities to contribute to building basketball facilities in local communities. Quoting Michael Jordan, she highlighted the importance of teamwork and intelligence in achieving success.
She also acknowledged the dedication of athletes, coaches, officials, parents, and alumni from the participating schools. In 2023, 53 teams competed, with an aim to increase to 66 in 2024, including a primary schools tournament in the future.
She praised the athletes for their sportsmanship and the lasting memories created during the tournament, emphasizing that victory is not solely about trophies, but also about the experiences, friendships, and personal growth gained through participation.
As the tournament wrapped up, she reminded everyone to carry forward values of compassion, humility, and kindness alongside their accolades. The event was hosted at the Lautoka Multi-purpose Court to mark the start of the Term 2 school break.