Jeremiah Raibevu College has celebrated a significant milestone in sports as student Isimeli Nayacakalou achieved the prestigious C Grade title at the Badminton Fiji Open Nationals. This accomplishment holds special importance for the school, which has recently begun incorporating badminton alongside traditional sports like athletics and rugby.
Principal Merewalesi Tuloma expressed immense pride in the achievement, highlighting that just three months of training in badminton led four of their students to compete at the national level, far exceeding initial expectations for their debut. “We were just trying to look for sports that our students can be engaged in after athletics and rugby,” Tuloma explained.
The introduction of badminton at Jeremiah Raibevu College stemmed from a teacher’s passion for the sport last year, which encouraged the staff to explore its potential. This initiative attracted the attention of Badminton Fiji, which engaged with the school to demonstrate the sport and provide students with a fresh experience.
Nayacakalou distinguished himself during the tournament with his composed attitude and disciplined gameplay, making history as the first student from the college to win a national badminton title. Principal Tuloma shared her excitement regarding his triumph, stating, “We are so humbly proud of Isimeli because he is always quiet and independent, but he gave his time, dedication and willingness into badminton.” Looking to the future, she is hopeful about Nayacakalou’s burgeoning career in the sport, especially given his rapid adjustment to competitive play.
Looking forward, Tuloma confirmed the school’s intention to expand its badminton program next year, using Nayacakalou’s victory as inspiration to motivate more students to engage with the sport. “This is something that will inspire our students because victory is sweet, but it is sweeter when it comes from commitment and dedication,” she noted.
Moreover, the principal expressed her appreciation to Badminton Fiji for their outreach to lesser-known schools, acknowledging that Nayacakalou’s success has prominently positioned Jeremiah Raibevu College within the national badminton arena. Located in Tacirua, this school has grown to enroll 185 students since its establishment eight years ago.
The competition took place over three days at the Yat Sen School Hall, marking a pivotal moment for Nayacakalou and signaling the promising future of the school’s badminton program. This achievement not only showcases individual talent but also reflects the broader goal of nurturing sports engagement among students.