After raising funds with the help of their parents and supporters to make the trip to Suva, the Ba Provincial Freebird Institute Under-19 boys basketball team is determined to make its mark at the 2026 Fiji Secondary Schools Basketball Championship.
Team captain Junior Savenaca Thomas Ratu says preparations have gone well despite the team facing several challenges along the way.
Ratu says the school is well known for rugby, and with much of its sporting funding going towards rugby, the basketball team had to find other ways to raise money to compete at the championship.
He says the players organised fundraising activities, while parents also stepped in to help cover their expenses.
The Year 13 student says the team is grateful to the parents, families and supporters who helped make their participation possible.
Ratu says their goal is not only to win, but also to make a name for Ba Provincial Freebird Institute and represent the wider Ba community with pride.
He says the team is confident heading into the competition and is ready to face the challenges from other schools.
Ratu says International Secondary School is one of the teams they expect to provide a tough challenge when they meet tomorrow.
He has thanked the team's families, friends and supporters for helping with fundraising, supporting the players and keeping them in their prayers.
Ba Provincial Freebird Institute will take on Jai Narayan College at Yat Sen Secondary School at 8.40 tonight.
