Sport in Fiji

It is also one of the leading providers of quality sports and recreational facilities and programs at national, regional and international levels.

The organisation is headed by its chief executive officer Litiana Loabuka, who is governed by a board of directors chaired by Businessman Peter Mazey.

For the 2000, 2008 and 2013 World Cups, the Bati were captained by Lote Tuqiri, Wes Naiqama and the legendary Petero Civoniceva respectively.

Notable examples include Lote Tuqiri and Petero Civoniceva, both of whom have played for Australia in international test matches, Queensland in the State of Origin series and the Brisbane Broncos in Australian club grand final victories.

They finished in third place in the 2009 competition beating Tonga in the third-place playoff after losing to the Cook Islands in the semi-finals.

The Cibi (pronounced Thimbi) war dance was traditionally performed by the Fiji rugby team before each match.

[1] Tradition holds that the original Cibi was first performed on the rugby field back in 1939 during a tour of New Zealand, when then Fijian captain Ratu Sir George Cakobau felt that his team should have something to match the Haka of the All Blacks.

The Fiji Bati rugby league team also gather in a huddle and perform the hymn 'Noqu Masu' before each match.

[2] Due to the recent success of the country's national teams and the improved accessibility of basketball courts, the sport has received a boost of popularity within the last years.

Golf has been popularized by Fijian golfer Vijay Singh, and the Fiji International tournament is part of the European Tour.

Others includr sailing in varying forms, cricket, various adventure sports, athletics, various Asian martial arts, and boxing.