The netball fraternity in Fiji and the region is mourning the loss of one of its top administrator Wainikiti Naivalulevu Waqa Bogidrau.

She was the president of Oceania Netball and a World Netball Regional director during the time of her passing.

She was a full-time employee of the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF); she was the acting General Manager Human Resources.

Bogidrau passed away on Tuesday; she was 56.

Condolences messages poured in from all over the world from family, friends, regional and international netball bodies including World Netball (WN).

The former journalist began her netball administration journey over two decades; she was Netball Fiji president from 2010 to 2020.

She was elected as president of Oceania Netball at their 2019 Annual General Meeting before being appointed to the World Netball Board at Congress in 2019 as Director of the Oceania region and has been a vital part of the World Netball Board since.

In a statement WN said Bogodrau was an integral part of the netball family for many years and has held a number of crucial leadership roles, which have led to significant developments within Fiji, the Oceania region and within WN.

WN was deeply saddened to learn of the very sudden demise.

“Kiti was an inspirational leader whose passion and impact was felt by all those within Fiji and beyond,” the statement said.

“Kiti had a true love for netball, playing throughout her life and spectating whenever time permitted, alongside her many administration roles. Her unwavering commitment to the game has left an indelible mark on netball in Oceania.

“During this time Kiti will be dearly missed but remembered fondly by all of the Netball Family. At World Netball Kiti will always be remembered for her friendship, gentle personality and thoughtful reflections that helped shape many of our decisions,” the WN statement added.

“May Kiti rest in peace, proud of the positive impact she has had in our world.”

Former Suva Netball Association president Vasiti Vugakoto said she was fortunate to be under Bogidrau’s leadership during her tenure as Netball Fiji president.

“She was one person that opened up a lot of opportunities for funding; one of her big project was Fiji were awarded hosting rights to host the Netball World Youth Cup for the 2nd time in 2021, however the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“She was a visionary leader, who climbed the ranks of leadership for netball in the country, region and international having to be one of the regional directors of World Netball.

“Kiti opened a lot of opportunities overseas in the administration side of things.”

Netball Fiji also shared similar senitiments; Bogidrau was president of the Nasinu Netball Association and later became Netball Fiji secretary.

In 2010 she spearheaded the “Friends of Netball” group that raised funds to send the national team to the World Cup Qualifiers in Cook Islands.

She became a Life Member of the Fiji Netball Association in 2020

Netball Fiji President RubyAnn Sorovaki said: “Netball Fiji acknowledges with much appreciation her contribution to netball in Fiji and her breakthrough leadership in the sport. She will be dearly missed. Our condolences go out to her family during this sad time.”

Sharing WN’s Facebook post, Tonga Netball Association chief executive officer Salote Sisifa wrote: “I can see your big beaming smile in the heavens my dear friend Kiti Bogidrau, Oceania Netball President, World Netball Regional Director. You’ll dearly be missed.”

In a Facebook post, Netball South Africa wrote: “We at Netball South Africa are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of World Netball Oceania Regional Director, Wainikiti (Kiti) Bogidrau. Her immense contributions and dedication to the Netball Family will forever be cherished. We send our heartfelt condolences to Fiji Netball, World Netball, her family, and all who were fortunate to know her. May she rest in peace.”

Bogidrau will be laid to rest next Friday.

She was survived by her daughter and namesake.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj