FIJIAN ATHLETE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 627, 2 April 1929, Page 1

FIJIAN ATHLETE

Now Young Student at Training College PROMINENT IN GAMES Representative cricketer and efficient Rugby player, Edward Thakambau, of Fiji, is now a student at the Auckland Training College. It is unlikely that the college will be able to have the benefit of Thakambau’s services as a footballer this season, as medical edicts will probably keep him from playing. Thakambau is new to Auckland from Wanganui Technical College, where he was prominent in Rugby, cricket and swimming for several years. A powerful goal-kick and a handy forward in the lines-out —the young Fijian is well over six feet and splendidly proportioned—he was well-known in inter-cpllege Rugby. As a cricketer Thakambau became a sound batsman and a bowler for the Wanganui representative team. The connection of Fijians with New Zealand sport is interesting. The Islanders have taken Rugby to their hearts. Fijian students are sent regularly by the Fijian Government for education at Wanganui Technical College. Thakambau comes from the family which once controlled Fiji. In recent years, Joeli Ravai, Jope Loloma, Freddy leli and Sairusi Natuna have returned to responsible positions in the Islands, and have done their best to foster sport among the natives. leli is stationed as far away as Rotumah Island, 500 miles from Fiji. Many New Zealanders remember Ratu Sukuna, who figured prominently as ah athlete at Wanganui Collegiate School before the Great War, in which he distinguished himself as a soldier. Sukuna took a degree at an English universitj*. Sukuna’s brother, Dovi Madraiwiwi, has just gone from school in Wanganui for medical instruction at. Otago University. He is a handy fiveeighths and is a good cricketer.