Keresi Maya joins Bati squad after 4-Year rugby ban

Keresi Maya joins Bati squad after 4-Year rugby ban

Despite being criticized and banned from playing rugby for six years, former Naitasiri U20 player Keresi Maya has managed to beat the odds and secure a spot in the Vodafone Fiji Bati squad for the Pacific Bowl Championship.

Maya told Fijivillage News that he suffered a lot and was pushed to the brink of suicide, but he is thankful that his family stood by him during those challenging days.

The man from Bouma Village says that the support from his family motivated him while he worked on his farm in Taveuni.

He says that with little hope of playing again, he joined the Fiji Rugby Union Referee Association and managed to participate as a touch judge during the Marist 7s last year.

He adds that the turning point came after the Marist 7s, where he convinced his parents to let him join the Navy Albatross Rugby League side, and was later selected by the head coach after a local competition.

Maya hopes he will be given a chance to showcase his talent and play alongside senior players like Tui Kamikamica, Viliame Kikau, Maika Sivo, and Sunia Turuva.

The Bati will host the PNG Kumuls at 8.10pm this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium.

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Govt will not make more backdated payments to USP as discussions on VAT amount continue – Prof. Prasad
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Prasad has confirmed that the government will not make any more backdated payments to the Uni...
11 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
2025–2026 National Budget passed with 75% support in Parliament
Parliament has officially passed the 2025–2026 National Budget, with 75 percent of Members of Parliament voting in favour of the budget, matching ...
1 hour ago

Maharaj calls Pacific Polytech chair’s email “childish”, moves to cut funding but later withdraws motion
Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj has criticised the chairperson of Pacific Polytech for sending an email questioning the scrutiny of government funding ...
11 hours ago

Residents of Vugalei District warned to take precautions amid flooding
Residents in the Vugalei District, especially in the villages of Naimasimasi and Nadaro, are being urged to take extra caution due to heavy flooding ...
14 hours ago

CFL signs Radio Media Partnership with Homecoming Festival Fiji 2025
Homecoming Festival Fiji has officially signed a radio media partnership with South Pacific's largest radio broadcaster, Communications Fiji Limited, ...
15 hours ago

Landslide occurs along Kings Road in Manoca
People must remain cautious as a landslide has occurred along Kings Road in Manoca, opposite Mara Road, extending into the Rewa River. The Fiji ...
16 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
9 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
11 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
14 days ago

TOP