The Nabua Methodist Church was a sea of colors and people as hundreds gathered to farewell and also celebrate the life of former national netball rep and coach Unaisi Rokoura, on Saturday.
Mourners mostly netball enthusiasts, former netballers who had represented Fiji with her, relatives, family members and supporters turned up and filled every available space inside the church and outside too.
Eulogies were delivered by Rokoura’s older brother, Republic of Fiji Military Force’s Director of Force Development, Colonel Aseri Rokoura, the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Raijeli Taga and President of Netball Fiji, Ruby Ann Sorovaki.
The gathering heard of how the late Rokoura loved sports and was always an energetic child growing up.
“Here at Nabua Methodist Church Sunday school, whenever a group of boys would be pulled up for mischief during church, Una was always amongst them. She loved playing, she loved mingling with people and she was always so joyful and full of excitement.” Ms. Taga said during her eulogy.
Col Rokoura spoke of a younger sister that loved life and everything to do with netball.
“She was the life of our home. We had my Mum who played netball, then there was Una who became a netball player too and because of that, our home was always full of women and girls who played the sport. Sometimes visitors to our home would be surprised to learn that Una actually had another sibling. From then on, I was always known as Una’s brother.’ He quipped.
Mrs Sorovaki spoke of a talented netballer and a dedicated educator of the sport.
“During COVID when movement was restricted Una was always worried about the community outreach and she would email telling me that she needed to visit her communities because they’d be waiting. So we would work out ways where she would be able to reach those places safely and do what she loved best.”
After the service, her body was laid to rest at the Lovonilase Cemetary. Ms Rokoura lost her life while out diving for fresh water mussels in Navuso, Naitasiri more than a week ago.
