FIJIAN Kenyan rugby sevens player Jone Kubu felt at home during the HSBC SVNS Canada Sevens in Vancouver last weekend.
Kubu was often seen mingling with Fijians between match breaks and sharing stories and even tried his hand at playing musical instruments (drums).
He was living the moment to a popular citation ‘Take a Fijian out of Fiji but you can’t take Fiji out of a Fijian.’
Overwhelmed with joy, Kubu embraced the occasion as he showed great affection to the Fijians, who rooted for Fiji at the BC. Place in Vancouver.
Speaking through an acquaintance, Kubu said he didn’t feel left out or a stand-alone Fijian as he indulged in the real-time Fijian warmth.
“It was meeting a community of kindness and love,” said Kubu.
“I was right at home, Fiji in Vancouver.”
Binesh Prasad spent a fair amount of time with Kubu between games and described him as a humble and noble human being.
“When he saw huge Fijian supporters, kids dressed in true blue attires, rugby outfits, Fiji flags and drums his eyes lit up and gave us a huge Bula smile and waved to the crowd.
“Despite his rank with team Kenya, Kubu acknowledged us by shaking hands, hugging our kids and then he greeted each and everyone with brotherly love, own brother matavulave-family.”
Prasad said following Fijiana’s semifinal win against Japan, and ahead of the final game against New Zealand, Kubu joined in the yearly tradition that marks Fijians one last ‘hurrah’ playing the tunes around the concourse.
“I spotted Kubu with another Kenyan official standing in the foyer so I handed him my mallets, surprise, surprise, he started beating the drum, the Fijians turned around and started taking pictures and video recording, people who didn’t know or recognize did now.”
Prasad described Kubu as a humble, down to earth person, very respectful and in all a gem of a Fijian.
Kubu moved to Kenya over a decade ago to pursue his lifelong dream of playing professional rugby.
The debut for the Kenya sevens team falls back on his hard work, commitment and desire to rub shoulders with and against the game’s best players.
Head coach Kevin Wambua highly rated Kubu, adding, he is an amazing player and even better person.
“Kubu is a loved brother, son and a role model, well respected amongst Kenyan team members, coaches, local teams as well as in the villages too,” he said.
“He is in a good hand, he is the greatest addition to the team.”
Kubu played for Kenya Simbas for most of his playing career before joining the sevens code.
The Naitasiri, Fiji, native dedicated the World Rugby Sevens Series debut to his families in Fiji, mum lisapeci and father Seveci Tavaga who passed away last month.
