In the vibrant heart of Hong Kong, the 2024 Baseball5 World Cup reached an exciting climax, with a notable figure from the South Pacific taking the spotlight. Inoke Niubalavu, a former star player for Fiji’s national baseball team, stepped into a new role as the official for the bronze medal match between France and Venezuela. This came after he officiated 15 pool games and managed scoring through an online application during the week-long tournament, which marked the second edition of the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup.
Niubalavu’s transition from the baseball fields of Fiji to the global arena of Baseball5 exemplifies the increasing international appeal of the sport and the opportunities it offers to passionate individuals worldwide.
His baseball journey began in the early 2000s when he attended the MLB Australian Academy in 2002. His skills quickly became evident, leading him to become a pivotal player for the Fijian national team. At the 2003 South Pacific Games, Niubalavu stood out with a remarkable .529 batting average, scoring six runs—more than any teammate. He continued to represent Fiji at the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa and the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia. As his playing years unfolded, Niubalavu’s commitment to the sport intensified.
By 2009, he transitioned into the role of Development Officer for the Fiji Islands Baseball Association, marking the start of his career shift from player to sports administrator.
Looking toward the future, Niubalavu is dedicated to advancing Baseball5 in Fiji. With the sport set to make its debut at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, he is eager to prepare Fiji’s youth Baseball5 team for the upcoming qualifiers. As Baseball5 expands, with the next World Cup slated for Italy in 2026 and plans to increase the tournament to 16 teams, Niubalavu finds himself at a pivotal point in the sport’s development, serving as both a national leader and an international official.