Former national and Ba soccer striker Taito Bula passed away at his home in Nailaga Village in Ba last night at the age of 53.
Bula was a member of the national football team that created history by winning its first South Pacific Games gold medal in Lae, Papua New Guinea in 1991.
He scored the winning goal against New Caledonia in the semi-final.
Fiji Football Association President Rajesh Patel says Bula was the country’s most feared striker at the height of his football career and his speed, uncanny dribbling skills, powerful right-foot, aggressive approach and never-say-die attitude was a nightmare to defenders who dared to cross his path.
Bula made his debut for Ba in 1989 during the National Football League.
He attended Ratu Rusiate Nabuta Memorial School before moving to Ba Methodist High School and then to Kamil Muslim College.
Bula played alongside some of the country’s football greats like Ravuama Madigi, Rova brothers, Lote and Meli Delai, Shiu Sami, Afroz Ali, Abdul Manan, Ronald Chaudhary, Radike Nawalu, Tagi Vonolagi and many more.
After 10 years with Ba, Bula moved to Lautoka and played for the team for one season before retiring.
He is survived by his wife and five children.
