AZARIA FAREEN
Mereani Cakacaka, 30, was one of the top three graduates who scooped the outstanding dedication and commitment award during the 19th Black Belt Graduation ceremony held in Nasinu recently.
Having a 10-year career in the Fiji Police Force, the women’s special constable also received the First-Degree Black Belt award with 50 officers from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), the police force and military dependents who took part in the unarmed combat technique training. The emotional officer in receiving the award says all her achievements are due to great family support and having faith and consistency in the almighty God.
“I would like to thank God for giving me strength and my family who have been incredibly supportive through thick and thin and go that extra mile to encourage me to strive for better,” Ms Cakacaka said. “The training was hard but I had confidence and belief in myself to succeed and finally all the sleepless nights have paid off,” she said.
“Participating with the males was challenging as they are stronger physically but us three girls managed to go through the hard yard training and I am very proud of myself in meeting my goals,” she added. “Every day is a challenge especially for girls who are vulnerable and are being taken advantage of in life. I want to tell them to be strong, aim high, believe in yourself that you can achieve your goals and always put god first because he will direct you in the right path.”
In handing over the awards, the President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote said “with your newly acquired qualification and experience, I am certain that you can now effectively deal with violent and unruly members of society”.
“Government in collaboration with the Heads of the Disciplined Forces are committed to ensure that the members of the FPF and RFMF are well trained and equipped in terms of capacity and capability to assure and maintain the confidence of our people that the rule of Law will always be maintained at all times.”
Director Unarmed Combat Training Academy, Grand Master Captain Tevita Korovou said it was a very intensive nine months training and he was pleased at the level of teamwork demonstrated by the graduates.
“These students have excelled not only because they have endured ordinary and extraordinary adverse conditions but their determination has overcome the obstacles and done us proud,” Captain Korovou said.
“The main aim of the close combat training is to give our soldiers and police officers the ability to use alternatives to their firearms, which enables them to act with confidence any situation.”
Captain Korovou adds, to date, there are altogether 2831 first black belt holders and this number is exclusive of those students who have attained 2nd Black Belts to the 9th Black Belt.