Fiji’s Under-18 women’s handball team has achieved an extraordinary milestone by being invited to represent the Oceania region at the 2026 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship in Romania. The announcement was made by Handball Fiji following the team’s commendable performance at the IHF Oceania Championship held in the Cook Islands last October, where they secured a bronze medal after a hard-fought victory against Australia.
One player who made a significant impact during the tournament was Elizabeth Colata from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School, who was named the Most Valuable Player and ended as the highest goal scorer in the youth category. Her achievement and the team’s overall success have propelled Fiji into the spotlight of international youth handball.
Handball Fiji president Sainimili Saukuru emphasized the importance of this qualification, describing it as a major milestone for both the sport and women’s athletics in the nation. “This moment represents more than participation; it is a testament to how far we have come as a federation. It’s a historic breakthrough entry into global youth handball competition and sending our young women to Europe to compete against the world’s best signals the emergence of a new generation of talented Fijian female athletes,” she stated.
In preparation for the world championship, Handball Fiji has established a high-performance program that includes intensive training sessions, domestic competitions, and specialized training camps. The organization is also actively seeking support from the corporate sector and the public to fund the team’s preparations and travel expenses to Europe.
This initiative aligns with Fiji’s broader sporting aspirations, particularly looking ahead to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. The current Under-18 squad is seen as foundational for future Olympic qualification pathways. Since its establishment in 2016, Handball Fiji has gained official recognition from the International Handball Federation in 2017 and has participated in various regional tournaments, showcasing the rapid growth of the sport within the country.
The upcoming championship in Romania will not only be Fiji’s first foray into a global youth handball competition but also represents a hopeful step for the future of the sport in Fiji, offering young female athletes a platform to shine on an international stage.
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