The Badminton Fiji Secondary Schools tournament was hosted over the weekend at the Yat Sen School Hall in Suva, drawing an impressive turnout of over 100 players from 11 schools. This year marked a significant growth in participation, featuring 16 teams compared to just five teams from three schools in the previous year.
Tournament director Robert Loo expressed his delight at the event’s expansion, highlighting the efforts of the new committee in extending the tournament’s reach. He stated, “It’s a major increase for us with our new committee, so with this tournament, we are spreading them to a lot more.”
The event saw participation from six schools in Suva, including Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School, Saint Joseph’s Secondary School, Jeremiah Raibevu College, International Secondary School, Marist Brothers High School, and Suva Grammar School. Additionally, teams from Swami Vivekananda College in the Western Division and two schools from Vanua Levu, Labasa College and Lekutu Secondary School, contributed to the diverse lineup.
While the turnout was strong, some schools were unable to join this year due to the upcoming school holidays. In response to this, Loo indicated plans to reschedule next year’s tournament to an earlier date, ideally mid-term two. He believes this adjustment will increase student involvement, as the third term often coincides with breaks. “We want it to be held in the middle of the year when everyone is active,” he noted.
With the excitement of this tournament still fresh, anticipation is building for a national badminton tournament set to take place later this week. This upcoming event is expected to further highlight the talent and passion for badminton across the nation, promising a bright future for the sport in Fiji.