In the vibrant center of Hong Kong, the 2024 Baseball5 World Cup recently came to an exciting conclusion, highlighting the presence of a notable figure from the South Pacific.
Inoke Niubalavu, a former prominent player for Fiji’s national baseball team, stepped into a new role as the official for the bronze medal match between France and Venezuela. Throughout the week-long competition, which included 15 pool games, he contributed by umpiring and utilizing an online scoring application.
Niubalavu’s transition from the baseball fields of Fiji to the international platform of Baseball5 illustrates the increasing global interest in the sport and the opportunities available for enthusiastic individuals worldwide.
His baseball journey began in the early 2000s when he attended the MLB Australian Academy in 2002. His exceptional skills quickly shone through, making him a crucial player for the Fijian national team. At the 2003 South Pacific Games, he led the tournament with an impressive .529 batting average and scored six runs, doubling the tally of his closest teammate. Niubalavu went on to represent Fiji at the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa and the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia. As his playing career advanced, so did his commitment to the sport.
In 2009, he transitioned to the role of Development Officer for the Fiji Islands Baseball Association, marking the start of his journey from player to sports administrator.
Looking forward, Niubalavu is dedicated to the future of Baseball5 in Fiji, especially with the sport making its debut at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. He aims to prepare Fiji’s youth Baseball5 team for the upcoming qualifiers. As Baseball5 continues to expand, with the next World Cup set for Italy in 2026 and plans to include 16 teams, Niubalavu’s position as both a national leader and international official positions him at the forefront of the sport’s growth.