So long Ratu Wame

By ANASILINI RATUVA

Fiji has lost one of its favourite rugby sons in crack inside centre, Ratu Wame Gavidi, of Nadroga. He died on Sunday.
Former rugby captain Pio ‘Bosco’ Tikoisuva said Ratu Wame was one player who played well in attack and defence.
“He was a humble, a good listener, discipline, consistent during training and was always in a winning mood,” Bosco said.
Bosco, who was captain when Fiji beat the British Lions 25-21 in 1977 in Suva, said it was an honour playing alongside Ratu Wame.
“He was playing at second five-eighth and I was playing at flyhalf, and the communication we had with each other was excellent.
“He was a very powerful and strong man in those days. He doesn’t give up easily. He only says it’s all over when the battle is over.
“It’s not like these days when many of these players are going for the money. For Ratu Wame it was a different story. He knew the real value of the white jumper.
“I believe another highlight of his rugby career was his stop-tackle on All Blacks great, Bill Osborne in 1980.”
Ratu Wame’s brother, Ratu Tevita Makutu said the vanua of Yavahuna, yavusa Louvatu acknowledges Ratu Wame for all the great deeds he has done to the province of Nadroga.
“He was a very good man, he strives for the best,” Ratu Tevita said.
He doesn’t complain,  he always tries to accomplish his goals for the vanua, church and province and loves his rugby.
“He represented the country with pride and he always tries his best to win for his nation,” Ratu Tevita said.
He was rushed to the hospital during a church service in Yadua Village in Nadroga but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Ratu Wame represented Nadroga and the Flying Fijians from 1970s to 1980s.
He is survived by his wife Alumeci Gavidi daughter Adi Sereana Digitakiigiladi and his two grandchildren.
He will be laid to rest next week Friday at his home in Cuvu, Nadroga.
Kaloucava will be missed

Famous radio sports commentator Mikaele Kaloucava died on Wednesday.
A school teacher by profession, Kaloucava will be missed by radio personalities at the Communications Fiji Limited.
VitiFM programmes director Malakai Veisamasama said Kaloucava had an interest of trying out different fields of work where he always tried to succeed.
“He has a good command of English and he always have interest in sports,” Veisamasama said.
“And it was like a passion for him. He was versatile, he learned really fast and always try to do his best.
“When he started commentating in 2004, he  could cover rugby, soccer, boxing.
“He has established himself in the local market.”
Veisamasama said veteran rugby commentator Graham Eden helped Kaloucava.
“When Graham was looking for a back-up in 2004, our general manager Ian Jackson approached Kaloucava and he agreed.  Graham taught him a lot.”
Kaloucava joined CFL as a part-time announcer on VitiFM in 1998, but got transferred for his teaching post in Lau in 2002. In 2003 he came back to Viti Levu, resigned from teaching to become a fulltime radio announcer.
In 2008 he returned to teaching but was still employed in CFL as a sports commentator with Graham Eden. He also hosted the Fijian talk back show Vakariba Malamala.
“The CFL crew express our deepest condolences to Kaloucava and his family,” Veisamasama said.
Kaloucava comes from Nadoi, Rewa.

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Posted by newsroom on July 20, 2012. Filed under Fiji Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.