The Lautoka Basketball Association is set to honor the memory of former player Edwin Taufiq Ali with a memorial 5×5 basketball competition taking place next Friday at the Lautoka Multipurpose Courts. The tournament, named the Edwin Taufiq Ali Memorial Trophy, will kick off at 8 AM and invites both men’s and women’s teams to participate, with an entry fee of $50 per team.
Mataiasi Taito, the development officer for Lautoka Basketball, noted that the event is open to teams beyond the local community, extending invitations to Suva, Raiwai, and Nadi Basketball Associations. Taito emphasized the goal of maximizing participation, saying, “The more the teams, the better.”
The one-day tournament will not only celebrate the legacy of Edwin Taufiq Ali but also feature exciting competition, promising cash prizes and trophies for both the men’s and women’s categories. Teams competing for the trophy will vie for $250 for the winners and $200 for the runners-up, in addition to trophies for their achievements.
This event is expected to showcase significant local talent and fosters a spirit of community involvement as teams battle for glory while paying tribute to a cherished figure in Lautoka basketball. The enthusiasm for participation and celebration of sports in the community reflects a hopeful outlook for the future of basketball in the region.
Such initiatives reinforce the growing popularity of basketball in Fiji and highlight the importance of local athletic events in uniting communities through sports. As the tournament approaches, the anticipation builds for a day filled with vibrant displays of skill, sportsmanship, and mutual respect for one of their own.
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