The netball community in Fiji and beyond is grieving the loss of Wainikiti Naivalulevu Waqa Bogidrau, an influential administrator in the sport who passed away at the age of 56. Bogidrau served as the president of Oceania Netball and held the position of World Netball Regional Director at the time of her death, which has prompted an outpouring of condolences from around the globe, including messages from family, friends, and various netball organizations such as World Netball.
A former journalist, Bogidrau dedicated over two decades to netball administration, including a decade-long tenure as president of Netball Fiji from 2010 to 2020. In 2019, she was elected as president of Oceania Netball and subsequently appointed to the World Netball Board, where her leadership significantly influenced the development of the sport in Fiji and the wider Oceania region.
World Netball expressed profound sadness at her unexpected passing, highlighting Bogidrau’s invaluable contributions and her inspiring leadership. The organization emphasized her lifelong passion for netball, both as an athlete and as an administrator, noting the substantial impact she had in shaping the future of netball in her region.
Furthermore, her former colleagues, including Vasiti Vugakoto, praised her visionary leadership and her efforts in securing important opportunities for Fiji, such as hosting the Netball World Youth Cup in 2021, which was unfortunately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her legacy includes initiating projects that supported the national team and fostering international relationships in netball administration.
Netball Fiji President RubyAnn Sorovaki acknowledged Bogidrau’s remarkable contributions to the sport and extended condolences to her family, stating that she will be dearly missed. The loss is felt deeply across the netball spectrum, with associations expressing their sorrow and honoring her memory.
Bogidrau is survived by her daughter, who shares her name, and she will be laid to rest next Friday.
In summary, Wainikiti Naivalulevu Waqa Bogidrau’s passing is a significant loss to the netball community, but her legacy of dedication, leadership, and love for the sport will continue to inspire and uplift those she leaves behind. During this difficult time, the collective memories and achievements of her career serve as a testament to the positive influence she had throughout her life.
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