Jeremiah Raibevu College has celebrated a remarkable achievement in the realm of sports as student Isimeli Nayacakalou clinched the C Grade title at the Badminton Fiji Open Nationals. This win is particularly significant for the school, which only recently began introducing badminton as an alternative to the more traditional sports of athletics and rugby.
Principal Merewalesi Tuloma expressed her pride, noting that despite having just three months of experience with the sport, four students stepped up to compete at the national tournament, greatly surpassing expectations during their debut. “We were just trying to look for sports that our students can be engaged in after athletics and rugby,” Tuloma explained.
The school’s foray into badminton was inspired by a teacher who played the sport last year and encouraged staff to explore its possibilities. This initiative led to a visit from Badminton Fiji, which showcased the game and allowed students to experience something new.
Nayacakalou stood out in the tournament with his calm demeanor and disciplined approach, ultimately becoming the first student from Jeremiah Raibevu College to secure a national badminton title. Principal Tuloma shared her elation, 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.” She is optimistic about Nayacakalou’s future in the sport, especially given his quick adaptation to competitive play.
Looking ahead, Tuloma confirmed plans to expand the badminton program next year, using Nayacakalou’s success as motivation to encourage more students to participate. “This is something that will inspire our students because victory is sweet, but it is sweeter when it comes from commitment and dedication,” she remarked.
Additionally, the principal extended her gratitude to Badminton Fiji for reaching out to a lesser-known school, highlighting that Nayacakalou’s achievement has placed Jeremiah Raibevu College on the national badminton map. Established eight years ago, the school is situated in Tacirua and currently enrolls a total of 185 students.
The three-day competition concluded at the Yat Sen School Hall, marking a significant milestone not only for Nayacakalou but also for the school’s budding badminton program.