Jone wins again

JONE Delai, the fastest man in the South Pacific, has won the prestigious Fiji Sportsman of the Year Award. As an added bonus, the South Pacific Mini Games 100 m and 200 m gold medalist’s receieved the award from former Wall aby skipper, Nick Farr-Jones. Meeting Farr Jones, chief guest at the awards night, and Wallaby front-rower Tony Daley was a high point in Delai’s life.

Apart from being the first Fijian to score a double in the 100 m and 200 m at a South Pacific Games, Delai helped the Fijian 4xloom and 4x400m relay team win gold medals. Athletics had a double celebration, with Delai’s team mate, hurdler Rachael Rogers, winning the Sportswoman of the Year award.

Rogers’ total was two golds and two silvers. The 18-year-old Brisbane student won the 100 m hurdles in a new Mini Games record time of 14.29 s and was part of the 4xloo relay gold medal team. In the 100 m and 200 m she was second to teamate Vaciseva Tavaga - Sportswoman of the Year in 1991.

Delai, 25, a sports development officer, was chosen ahead of nominees from 18 other sports while Rogers shrugged off

13 challengers.

Athletics was widely tipped to scoop the awards after a powerhouse perform ance at the Mini Games in Port Vila, Vanuatu, last December. Athletics’ 55-member team overshadowed the five other sports by winning 14 of Fiji’s 15 gold medals.

Delai said his intention is to repeat his feat at the 1995 SPG in Tahiti.

Rogers was not at the function, having returned to Brisbane two days earlier.

Her father, Joseph Rogers, told the audience Rachael had said in case of a win, she wanted to acknowledge all those parents who support their chil dren in their sporting endeavors.

Rachael wants her win to serve as an inspiration to all young athletes in Fiji.

Delai’s runner-up was 19-year-old swimmer, Carl Probert, who last year won three golds, a silver and a bronze medal at the Arafura Games in Darwin. The female runner-up was golfer Sylvia Joe, who won a silver medal at the Mini Games. Fiji’s sports calendar culminates with the annual awards night, normally held in Decem ber or January. A notable winner of the award, which has been held annually since 1981, was rugby sevens genius Waisale Serevi in 1990. □

Delai: with his award and Wallaby Tony Daley