Koroisau new Tigers skipper
Apisai Koroisau has been appointed captain of the Wests Tigers for the 2023 NRL.
Fiji Bati, Apisai Koroisau
Photo: Photosport
The announcement was made at the Wests Tigers official season launch.
Koroisau, a Fijian international, says to be asked to lead the team in his first year at the club means a lot.
Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens says Koroisau is a natural leader.
The Tigers will face the Raiders in a pre-season match on Sunday.
Fiji drops bodybuilding and judo teams from Pacific Games
For the first time judo and bodybuilding will not be part of Team Fiji to the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands later this year.
FBC reports Chef de Mission Ajay Ballu saying these two sports had some issues that could not allow them to be part of the contingent.
In terms of bodybuilding, he said they have a governance issue and did not have an AGM.
And, he added, judo missed the bond payment deadline.
Ballu said all federations had been informed well before time of the regulations and deadlines and they will not be lenient this year.
He confirmed that the nation will be represented by 27 sports at the Honiara Pacific Games that will be held in November and December.
PNG short of cash ahead of PNG Games
The Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation needs nearly three million US dollars to roll out the 8th edition of the PNG Games from June to July this year.
The Post Courier reports that the Foundation’s executive director Albert Veratau confirmed this while giving an update on the games at the Taurama Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby.
He said that with less than four months remaining before the games, there is an urgent need to secure funds.
Veratau said they urgently need the funds to repair the sporting venues and help the organising committee with its administration operation.
The Games Council has already cut the number of sports down from 28 to 11.
Gray resigns after Cotter goes
Flying Fijians assistant coach Richie Gray has resigned from his post with immediate effect.
Gray has worked under Vern Cotter since 2020.
Cotter recently announced his resignation as head coach.
Gray says that he feels if the head coach steps down then from an integrity point of view the assistant must also do so.
The Fiji Rugby Union says it respects Gray’s decision and thanks him for his contribution.
2023 Oceania Badminton Championships underway
in the senior singles, Jack Jiang has sealed a clash with top seed Nathan Tang of Australia after beating Tahiti’s Heiva Yvonet 21-13, 21-13 in Auckland.
There was a walkover for Leonard Manuel of the Northern Mariana Islands, while Tahiti’s Remi Rossi defeated Australia’s Hongyuan Wong 21-19, 21-16.
Up to $NZ5,000 will be distributed to the runner-ups and winners in both doubles and singles of the competition.