The inaugural Serua Namosi Community Games 2025, held at Thompson Park in Navua over the weekend, was a resounding success, embodying two vibrant days filled with fun, excitement, and sportsmanship. With around 1,000 participants competing across four different sports—touch rugby, netball, volleyball, and futsal soccer—the event effectively united various communities within the Serua and Namosi provinces.
Tournament director Sera Yavita expressed her satisfaction with the turnout, noting how all teams enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and competition. The primary goal of the Community Games was to promote safe and supportive communities through sports while evaluating the sports development level within the Serua-Namosi region. Events like these are crucial as they address social and economic issues, including efforts to combat drug-related problems and HIV cases in the area.
Participants from numerous communities, including Navunisoco to Navutulevu, took part in the event, fostering a sense of unity, peace, and harmony among locals. The event was organized by the Fiji National Sports Commission in collaboration with the Serua and Namosi Organising Committee, along with contributions from the vanua, vunivalu, and provincial offices. Special gratitude was expressed towards the Namosi Provincial Office and various sponsors for their unwavering support in making the event a significant milestone for both provinces.
In terms of competition results, the Tadevo Community triumphed in the Volleyball Men’s category with Vunimasi as the runner-up. Nakavu Village won the Volleyball Women’s division, while Veivatuloa claimed victory in the Touch Rugby Men’s category against runner-up Qilai. Meanwhile, Veivatuloa also secured the Netball Women’s championship, with Navua Urban finishing as the runner-up, and Lobau Village took the top spot in the Men’s Mix category, also followed by Veivatuloa Village as the runner-up. The Futsal category was clinched by Rio.
The spirit of community engagement and sportsmanship showcased in these Games reflects the growing movement towards nurturing talent and providing enrichment opportunities for local youth, highlighting a promising future for sporting events in the region. Such initiatives not only bring enjoyment and excitement but also serve as vital platforms for fostering social connections and holistic development within communities.