Handball Fiji has announced its 22-member Women’s Youth National training squad for the upcoming International Handball Federation Women’s Youth (Under-18) World Championship in Romania, where Fiji will make history as the first Pacific island nation to compete on the global stage.
Competition for a ticket to Europe remains fierce, with national selectors scheduled to cut the numbers down to a final 16-member travelling team on June 22, 2026.
The side will carry the hopes of the entire region into an elite 32-nation field.
The left wing players named in the 22-member training squad are Ana Biu, Esther Bola, Senitirau Koroinaqara and Koleta Turagakula.
Miliakere Noa, Valerie Raicakacaka and Veniana Tavainavesi have been selected as right wings.
The pivot players in the squad are Elizabeth Colati, Ivamere Buituni, Sefiana Dobui and Bulou Suguta.
Mele Kocovanua and Ro Banuve Logavatu have been named as left backs, while Rositalei Matakarawa, Alena Moto and Litia Vuniwai have been selected as right backs.
The centre back positions have been filled by Adi Sainimili Logavatu, Mereani Moto and Paulina Raogo.
The goalkeepers in the squad are Paulina Nagata, Lavenia Ravuna and Helena Tungi.
Fiji has been handed a formidable challenge after being drawn into Group A alongside global handball powerhouses Croatia, France, and Egypt.
The World Championship features the world's finest rising talent including defending champions Spain.
Fiji and Mexico are both making their tournament debuts.
Head of Delegation Lusi Rokoura praised the grit of the 22 players.
She says our young, fast-improving squad is stepping onto the world stage proud, determined, and ready.
However she says their journey is about much more than handball.
Rokoura stresses this is about youth empowerment, breaking barriers for women in sports, and flying the Fiji flag on the global stage.
She is also calling on corporate Fiji, sporting stakeholders, and the Government to stand firmly behind these incredible young women.
The Head of Delegation says under official campaign banner, "Rising From the Islands to the World Stage," their journey proves that young athletes have the talent and drive to step out of our island geography and compete with the best in the world.
Rokoura adds this historic campaign will lay the foundation for Brisbane 2032, building the high-performance pipeline and elite experience necessary to carry Fiji's flag to the Olympic stage.
The World Championship is from July 29th to August 9th 2026.
Fiji is pooled with Croatia, France and Egypt in Group A.
They will face France at 11pm on 29th July, Croatia at 9.45pm on 30th July, and Egypt at 9.45pm on 1st August.
