Teen dies after suffering rugby injury, football leading way on climate action, and Pacific Games turtle mascot named
Teen rugby player dies after on-field injury
A teenager who played centre for the Nadroga rugby team in Fiji has died at home - three weeks after she was injured in a match.
The Fiji Times reports 19 year old Monika Koroidrekelevu is believed to have injured her back during a game against Naitasiri in the Marama Cup three weeks ago.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed they received a report on Koroidrekelevu's death on Sunday morning.
Fiji Rugby Union CEO John O'Connor said the FRU had not been informed of the death and that he would comment once he had more details.
Her family declined to speak to the Times when approached in Sigatoka.
Pacific Islands Forum and FIFA's joint plan on climate change
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and football's governing body FIFA have launched a joint plan to implement the climate change partnership they signed in April and turn commitment into concrete climate action.
Key activities will include employing footballing legends to raise climate change awareness and adapting existing infrastructure in one of the world's most vulnerable regions to make it more climate proof.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the Forum Secretary General Henry Puna signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding to combat climate change during the FIFA Congress in Doha, Qatar, in April.
The MoU focuses on using football diplomacy to educate and raise awareness on climate change and disaster resilience.
It also aims to enhance climate-proofed infrastructure, focus on climate resilient football development with finance for building resilience in the region.
Puna said it shows people and communities in the Pacific that both FIFA and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat are serious about addressing the climate emergency facing the region.
Pacific Games mascot named Solo
The turtle mascot for the Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games has been named Solo.
The name was announced by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
When the multi-sport event's turtle mascot was unveiled in May it did not have a name, but a competition was launched for students to come up with one.
The Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games mascot Solo on tour around the country Photo: Facebook
Damien Paul White, who is in grade six at Woodford International School, and Zola Karamui, who is in sixth form at Betikama Adventist College, jointly won the competition.
In the days since Solo got its name the mascot has been touring Isabel Province to drum up support for the Pacific Games.
Sea turtles are endemic to the country, including hawksbills, which are critically endangered.
The mascot design also incorporates the four national Solomon Islands colours - green, blue, yellow and white.
Honiara is due to stage the Pacific Games between November 19 and December 2 in 2023.
A programme of 23 sports, including three rugby codes, is set to be contested.
Team Samoa basks in best-ever Games
Team Samoa have returned home from the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on a high note - ranked 19 in the medal tally - it's most successful games ever.
Fiji ranked 39 with two silver and two bronze, and Papua New Guinea were ranked joint 35th with one silver medal.
Nauru, Niue and Vanuatu each won a bronze medal each.
Samoa's weightlifters powered their way into games history with a gold medal and two silvers.
Weighlifter Vaipava Nevo Ioane announced his retirement from the sport and dedicated his achievement to long-time national coach Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork.
He and his wife have also named their youngest son Birmingham - he was born two days prior to his father's silver medal lift.
Samoa's Don Opeloge lifted gold in the 96kg division and set new games records to continue his family weightlifting legacy - two older siblings have won Commonwealth gold medals in the past.
Football body condemns poaching
PNG Football Association has condemned the poaching of soccer players between clubs.
General Secretary Pius Letenge was responding to the Post-Courier's queries relating to the ongoing tussle between Lae City FC and Gulf Komara FC regarding PNG representative player Pala Paul.
He said they do not want player poaching and will not entertain this from National Soccer League clubs.
Letenge said PNGFA does not have strict regulations on player transfers or loans and it depends entirely on the three time periods within every NSL season.
