New Sukuna Bowl
Women’s rugby between the two Forces to be the curtain raiser.
Anew tanoa will be at stake at this year’s FMF Ratu Sukuna Bowl showdown between holders, the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), and the Fiji Police Force at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Friday, November 25.
This was confirmed during the launch at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua, yesterday, with the theme “Unify through History”.
As reported by SUNsports in February, the 70-year-old Ratu Sukuna Bowl tanoa was destroyed in a fire at the 3FIR building last December.
Yesterday, the new Ratu Sukuna Bowl tanoa was dedicated by the Police chaplain, Assistant Superintendent Reverend Waisale Vuli and Major Reverend Viliame Tunidau of the RFMF.
Despite having a new tanoa, the RFMF Commander, BrigadierGeneral Ro Jone Kalouniwai, said it would not take away the purpose of the game. He is confident that the Ratu Sukuna Bowl will return to QEB when the dust settles at the stadium on November 25.
RFMF pipped Police 18-17 last year to win the Bowl for the 27th time, a week before the fire broke out.
For the first time, women’s rugby will also be introduced at this year’s challenge and will be the main curtain raiser.
“The significance of the tanoa will not change the importance of Sukuna Bowl,” Kalouniwai said.
“It’s the spirit; that’s what is important for us. The spirit of the Sukuna Bowl actually drives.
“The Sukuna Bowl brings us to
gether under that honourable suggestion by Ratu Sukuna.
“But it does not take the fact of the spirit of rivalry that exists between the RFMF and Fiji Police Force; it will continue to be showcased on the field on November 25.”
The tanoa was given by the late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna in 1951 to create a common ground where differences could be settled between the Forces – to foster brotherhood between them.