“Real sports journo who knew all the works, great with people, some misunderstood him for his straightforward lack of tact because Zan didn’t like to waste time. But his sense of humour though a bit high-strung was still hilarious,” Kalouniviti said.
The late Zanzeer Singh.
One of the country’s sports journalists Zanzeer Singh, 49, passed away at the Lautoka Aspen hospital on Tuesday after a long illness.
His younger brother, former Fiji TV journalist Ranbeer Singh, said, “He (Zan) lived a happy and sociable life, famous for hosting get-togethers and social events. He had a generous and giving heart.”
Former Fiji rugby union official and sports marketing executive Charlie Charters said, “Zanzeer was a tremendous reporter of great humanity, integrity, and good humour. I would try to steer news tips towards him when he was on shift because he was also a great wordsmith and excellent at fighting for his story to get space in the newspaper.”
Writer Jone Kalouniviti said the late Singh was one of the real stand-up media guys from the burning west.
“Real sports journo who knew all the works, great with people, some misunderstood him for his straightforward lack of tact because Zan didn’t like to waste time. But his sense of humour though a bit high-strung was still hilarious,” Kalouniviti said.
FBC news director Indra Singh said, “He (Zan) was a legend to those of us who worked with him and his simple yet peculiar ways of getting stories were great.”
“More than that Zan was always there to help and never said no to anyone. He loved his beer as much as he loved his sports. We have lost a great soul, someone who made our lives fun and joyful and taught us how to live life despite everything. Condolences to the family and he will never be forgotten,” he said.
Singh had attended Namaka Public School in Nadi where his classmates were former Fiji 7s rugby coach Iliesa Tanivula and former Nadi and Pacific Islanders hooker Joeli Lotawa.
He then attended Swami Vivekananda College.
He started with the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation as a stringer in 1997, joined Fiji Sun in 1999 before moving to the Fiji Times in 2003 where he worked for two decades.
He is survived by his wife Rita Singh, children Nirvana and Siddhartha Iyer.
His funeral is on Saturday, with viewing at the Lautoka’s Girmit Centre before the final rites at the Lovu crematorium at 1 pm.
Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj
