Zanzeer Singh, a prominent sports journalist in the country, passed away on Tuesday at the Lautoka Aspen hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 49 years old.
His younger brother, Ranbeer Singh, a former journalist with Fiji TV, remembered him as a person who lived life joyfully and was well-known for organizing gatherings and social events. He described Zanzeer as generous and always ready to help others.
Charlie Charters, a former Fiji rugby union official and sports marketing executive, praised Zanzeer for his humanity, integrity, and humor. He noted that Singh was an exceptional reporter who had a talent for crafting stories and securing coverage in the newspaper.
Writer Jone Kalouniviti highlighted Singh’s reputation as a skilled sports journalist, emphasizing that he had a profound understanding of the field. He mentioned that while some may have misjudged Singh for his direct approach, his humor was exceptionally entertaining.
Indra Singh, the news director for FBC, referred to Zanzeer as a legend among his colleagues. He appreciated Singh’s unique methods of storytelling and noted his love for beer and sports. He expressed sorrow over the loss, describing Singh as someone who brought joy and life lessons to those around him.
Zanzeer Singh attended Namaka Public School in Nadi, where he was classmates with former Fiji 7s rugby coach Iliesa Tanivula and former Nadi and Pacific Islanders hooker Joeli Lotawa. He later went to Swami Vivekananda College.
He began his career as a stringer with Fiji Broadcasting Corporation in 1997, joined Fiji Sun in 1999, and spent the last two decades working with the Fiji Times.
He is survived by his wife, Rita Singh, and their two children, Nirvana and Siddhartha Iyer. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, with a viewing at Lautoka’s Girmit Centre followed by the final rites at Lovu crematorium at 1 PM.