The 2024 Vodafone Ratu Sukuna Bowl competition transcends mere athletic participation. Major General Jone Kalouniwai, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, emphasized this point during the competition’s official launch at the Naval Base in Walu Bay, Suva, yesterday.
This year’s theme for the Ratu Sukuna Bowl is “Stronger Together: Building a Drug-Free Nation Through Family, Unity, and Reconciliation.” Kalouniwai highlighted the importance of the respective forces’ responsibilities and their potential contributions to a better Fiji, responding to a challenge from Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew.
He stated, “It is more than simply winning or losing; it embodies the spirit within our forces and represents who we are and what we can achieve for the future of this country.” The RFMF has recently embarked on a path of reconciliation, aiming to redefine its future. Concurrently, the Fiji Police Force faces challenges stemming from drug-related issues affecting communities. Kalouniwai hopes that the spirit of the Sukuna Bowl will inspire high moral standards during their duties in the coming months.
Chew affirmed that Nasova is the rightful venue for the Ratu Sukuna Bowl and expressed the Fiji Police Force’s readiness to defend the trophy. “As career police officers, we are trained to be cautious, leading us to ponder the strategies at play here,” he remarked. Last year, the police retained the trophy after a draw of 11-11 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
He underscored the urgency of addressing rising social issues, advocating for a stance against drugs. Since its debut in 2022, the new Ratu Sukuna tanoa has had one home, Nasova, and Chew promised it would return there this year.
Salman Khan, Chief Commercial Officer of Vodafone Fiji, remarked on the nation’s passion for rugby and how this event represents not just competition for victory but also camaraderie, discipline, and spirited rivalry among the disciplined forces. He encouraged the players to compete with integrity and pride, remembering both past champions and future aspirations.
The Ratu Sukuna Bowl challenge is tentatively scheduled for November 8 at the HFC Bank Stadium, with other sports events commencing that week.