MATAIKA Koyamainavure has landed another scholarship to study and play basketball overseas.

The 23-year-old returned two weeks ago from Missouri Western State University and is due to leave again in July.

Now a volunteer with Basketball Fiji's Hoops for Health program, Koyamainavure said he was grateful for all that had contributed to his success over the years.

"I started off playing and going through clinics in the development program in Raiwaqa led by Saula Koroi and Laisiasa Puamau. I was in the program for five years, with kids we grew up with in Raiwaqa and I was lucky enough that after Form 6 I got a scholarship right after my sister got hers," he said.

His sister Miliakere Koyamainavure is also on a basketball scholarship overseas.

The siblings both went to Iowa on their initial scholarships and have both transferred to Western State University.

Koyamainavure said his experiences on the local front had helped him adapt in the US.

"There's a lot of exposure. There are different type of basketball there then here. I think because we grew up in Raiwaqa and we learnt the game the hard way, I think we can adapt easily over there. It's faster, the athleticism, it's a different level. The facilities, everything is much more advanced," he said.

He added that it was good to see the Hoops for Health program grow in the country.

"Throughout the Pacific we have opportunities to be great and I think if Basketball Fiji continues to conduct clinics through the program we could get national representatives," he said.

Source: The Fiji Times Newspaper

Friday 27 May 2016