The 2024 Vodafone Ratu Sukuna Bowl competition is set to focus on more than just sports participation. This message was conveyed by Major General Jone Kalouniwai, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, during the official launch at the Naval Base in Walu Bay, Suva, yesterday.
The theme for this year’s Ratu Sukuna Bowl is “Stronger Together: Building a Drug-Free Nation Through Family, Unity, and Reconciliation.” Kalouniwai highlighted the importance of the respective forces’ roles in striving for a better Fiji, accepting a challenge from Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew.
Kalouniwai stated, “It’s more than about winning or losing; it’s about the spirit we all have in the forces, who we are, what we represent, and what we can do for the future of this country.” He discussed the RFMF’s ongoing reconciliation efforts and emphasized the pressing issue of drug-related crises affecting communities, expressing hope that the spirit of the Sukuna Bowl will guide their conduct in the coming months.
Chew reaffirmed that Nasova is the rightful home of the Ratu Sukuna Bowl and expressed the Fiji Police Force’s readiness to defend their title after retaining the Bowl last year following an 11-11 draw at Prince Charles Park in Nadi. “With rising social issues faced by our communities today, we advocate to say no to drugs,” he remarked. He added that since showcasing the new Ratu Sukuna tanoa in 2022, it has firmly belonged to Nasova.
Salman Khan, Chief Commercial Officer of Vodafone Fiji, noted Fiji’s passion for rugby and emphasized that this event sees the disciplined forces competing not just for victory, but for a trophy that symbolizes camaraderie, discipline, and spirited rivalry. He urged players to compete with integrity, passion, and pride, while acknowledging the legacy of past champions and the hopes of future generations.
The tentative date for the Ratu Sukuna Bowl challenge is set for November 8 at the HFC Bank Stadium, with additional sports events scheduled for the same week.