FIJIAN football great Ravuama Madigi’s pitch-side appearance at the new 4R Stadium in Ba could only be described as a heart full of hope.
Madigi wasn’t a guest during the official opening ceremony, but he embodied the love of the ballpark that made him one of football’s biggest stars in the country.
Madigi relished the emotional highs and lows and what it meant to wear the black and national team jerseys and represent.
Walk through the park
With a heart on his sleeve, Madigi passionately walked through the 1980, Inter-District Championship final between Nadi and Ba, the game that inspired him to take up the sport.
“I was sitting in the old stadium watching my brother Inia Bola and the team play the final against Nadi,” said Madigi.
Ba’s Semi Tabaiwalu scored the winner on a Meli Vuilabasa setup.
“Ba beat Nadi 1-0, and I said I want to wear that jersey one day and play for Ba.
District debut
Madigi’s football career began at the Govind Park, (4R Stadium), playing for Ba Youth (U19) and rubbing shoulders with a galaxy of stars in his illustrious career spanning over a decade.
“1985, is where it all came about, Ba Youth and got the first team break-in the same year, the highlight was playing in my first IDC in 1985.”
“I represented the Fiji Youth team alongside a whole host of players.”
Promotion -religion in the face of tragedy
Madigi said following the passing away of Josaia Tubuna and serious injuries to Inia Bola and Semi Tabaiwalu in 1984, Ba went through an agonizing period in football.
Ba had played in the promotion-relegation series against Tailevu Naitasiri in 1986, the game in which Ba won 8-1
“We beat them convincingly and remained in the Premier Division.”
Turning point
With the inclusion of Labasa’s Ivor Evans and Epeli Rokoqica and budding stars, Mosese Soro, Jo Basudra, Aquila Rova, Vimal Sami and mainstay Jone Nakosia, Meli Vuilabasa, Lote Delai and others, Ba built back up to become a force to be reckoned with.
“In 1986, we won the IDC in Nausori we beat Nadroga 1-0 and I scored the winning goal,” said Madigi.
And there on he became the country’s household name.
Deadly forward
Madigi said he represented Fiji and scored some of the memorable goals including the historic 1-0 win against Australia in 1988.
“We had beaten Australia 1-0 at Nadi’s Prince Charles Park before a sold-out crowd.”
The deadly forward earned a reputation for being a game-changer with his sublime skills and pinpoint shot.
Football is on a wane
Following the destruction of the Govind Park during the Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016, the Ba football team was displaced and Madigi believes it had put a lot of stress on the district’s football performance.
“Ba hadn’t had a ballpark for a decade, juggling parks, playing at academy grounds and away games didn’t help the team,” he said.
New stadium
Madigi said that with the renovated 4R Stadium, Ba has a ground of its own and where fans can come enjoy the sport in luxury.
“Ba fans are passionate about football, now with a ball park, they can come support the team and enjoy football.
“Fans can travel from all over Ba for the games.”
And with rugby ever growing in Ba, Madigi believes sports in Ba will grow in the leaps and bounds.
“It is time for football and rugby to rise and shine.”
Madigi said he is optimistic about Ba’s return to football supremacy following the opening of the 4R Stadium, the home of the Men in Black.
