A new youth volleyball initiative has been launched in Rakiraki to bring young people together and strengthen community awareness and safety efforts.
The inaugural Elevate Youth Volleyball Festival was launched by Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu at Davui Ground in Rakiraki on Friday as part of efforts to engage youths in positive activities and encourage safer communities.
This was after concerns were raised about the Vatia drug bust.
The tournament was organised by former police officer Sitiveni Waqa and former Fiji Netball representative and former police officer Alesi Waqa-Paul.
While speaking to participating youths from the Rakiraki and Wainibuka areas, Commissioner Tudravu acknowledged the efforts of retired and former police officers who continue to support communities even after leaving the force.
He thanked Waqa for taking the initiative and says it is encouraging to see retired and former officers remaining committed to serving communities and staying true to their oath to serve and protect.
Tudravu also used the opportunity to encourage young people to become productive members of society and challenge perceptions that often associate youths with criminal activities.
Sitiveni Waqa says the presence of the Police Commissioner boosted the morale of the participating youths.
He says after the drug bust in Vatia, there was a need to create an initiative that would bring young people together, raise awareness and help them better understand their role in keeping communities safe.
Waqa says sport is a powerful way of connecting young people and creating opportunities for them to build relationships and work together towards safer communities.
He says while the inaugural tournament started on a smaller scale, plans are already underway to make it bigger and better next year.
The Fiji Police Force has also acknowledged and thanked retired and former police officers for continuing to support community policing and crime prevention efforts across the country.
