Fiji's rising handball stars ready to take on the world

A 12-member Fiji Women's Under-18 handball team will become the first-ever Pacific Island nation to compete at the International Handball Federation (IHF) Women's Youth World Championship.

Head of Delegation Lusiana Rokoura said this is a landmark achievement for Fiji sport, women's sport, and the Oceania region.

The 11th IHF Women's Youth (U18) World Championship in Romania will be held from 29 July to 9 August.

Rokoura said the squad was selected following months of intensive training, with the final team chosen from an initial 22-member national training squad.

Fiji will face handball giants France, Croatia and Egypt in its World Championship debut in Drawn in Group A.

Rokoura said the opportunity is exciting for the team and will be big for the sport moving forward.

"This is much bigger than handball. These young women are making history for Fiji, for Oceania and for every young girl who dreams of representing her country," Rokoura said.

"They have earned their place through hard work, determination and resilience. Despite limited resources, they have shown they belong on the world stage and will proudly wear the Fiji flag against some of the world's strongest handball nations."

But financial challenge is something the team is still faced with.

Rokoura said they are seeking assistance from businesshouses, families and anyone who can help them with funds.

She said the costs of international airfares, accommodation, competition preparation, equipment and medical support remain significant, and sponsorship is critical to ensuring the team can perform at its best.

"Every contribution is an investment in the future of women's sport, youth development and Fiji's long-term Olympic aspirations," she said.

Fiji Handball sees the World Championship as the first step on their pathway toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Getting a good record at the world champs will augur well for the team's campaign to compete at the 2032 Olympics.

The squad include sisters Adi Sainimili Logavatu and Ro Banuve Logavatu, who play for the Golden Eagle team in the local competition.

The two are daughters of former Flying Fijian and Fiji 7s team captain Ro Alivereti Doviverata and former Fiji athletics rep Rosi Tamani-Doviverata.

Achievement

Handball started in Fiji in 2016, after the Rio Olympics. Fiji became a member of the IHF in 2017.

President and former Fiji volleyball rep Sainimili Saukuru said the U18 side has qualified for the world champs after finishing third in the IHF Trophy Oceania last October.

A win against continental powerhouse Australia led to a third place finish, and with winners New Caledonia unable to accept their spot as they are not a full member of the IHF, and runners-up New Zealand declining theirs, Fiji gladly accepted.

"The 21-15 victory over Australia was more than just a scoreboard win," Saukuru told International Handball.

"It proved that even with limited resources and experience, we are no longer just 'participating', we are competing and winning at an elite level.

"In the 10 years since we founded Handball Fiji in 2016 it has gone from merely a conversation and an idea to becoming a world contender.

"It's been a mixed experience of vision, perseverance and valuable lessons. Over the years we have carried a strong vision for developing handball in Fiji, particularly for women and youth, but the global pandemic set us back."

Despite that setback the founding members kept pushing and got back together in May 2025 to continue where they had left off previously.

"With a strong group of women athletes who competed in other sports like athletics, volleyball, hockey, basketball and rugby plus the engagement of strength and conditioning coaches and technical coaches from other sports, who were able to adapt and learn about the sport of handball, this helped everyone quickly adjust to handball skills and the combination has contributed to this success," Saukuru added.

Fiji U18 Women's Handball: Adi Sainimili Logavatu (centre back), Alena Moto (left back) Ana Biu (right wing), Elizabeth Colata (pivot), Esther Bola (left wing), Ivamere Buituni (centre back), Lavenia Ravuna (goalkeeper), Mele Kocovanua (left back), Paulina Nagata (goalkeeper), Ro Banuve Logavatu (right back), Valerie Raicakacaka (utility), Litia Koroi (right back)

Non-travelling reserves: Bulou Suguta (pivot), Paulini Raogo (right wing), Rositalei Matakarawa (wing), Sefiana Dobui (utility)