Sigatoka Athlete Gets Us Scholarship

By Nicolette Chambers | Fiji Sun

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Despite the passing away of her father, the dream to pur­sue her sporting career did not stop.

For Joana Waticomoya Vakasobu­duru, sports was always at heart and she always needed her family’s support.

Thankfully, she was supported by her mother, Jimaima Kaikabaka­ba who ensured she achieved her dream.

The Year 13 science student of Si­gatoka Methodist College will be travelling to the United States of America in August under the Oce­ania Australia Foundation/Oce­ania National Olympic Committees US Scholarship Programme. Her travel was made possible through Stallions Athletics and Athletics Fiji. The programme offers two years of tuition and coaching at se­lected US Junior Colleges.

Not only is Joana a star in ath­letics, but she is also involved in other sports like volleyball and net­ball. She was also part of the Baby Pearls netball team.

Yesterday, she took part in the tri­ple jump event of the Nadroga/Na­vosa Athletics Zone meet at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.

Stallions Athletics secretary, Ifer­eimi Naruma said the group was grateful to Athletics Fiji for giving scholarships to elite athletes like Joana.

Naruma said there were a num­ber of potential athletes that came from the province.

“Our students are exposed to po­tential scholarships and we are so happy that we are now being recog­nised,” he said.

Joana said she looked forward to travelling abroad and being in­volved in what she loved doing.

“I hope to go to the US and make my family and school proud,” she said.

“I was also encouraged to look into other sports and I will ensure that I make the most of the oppor­tunities that will be put to me.”