‘Gaya’ gives back to sport – Former Fiji referee officiates at schools semi-finals

Gayanendra Prasad, known by his friends as ‘Gaya’, is one of the most respected and prominent rugby league referees in Fiji.

He is the only Fijian referee of Indian descent and the only one that has a Level 3 referee qualification in Fiji. Prasad also holds a Level 3 and Level 2 referees coach and Level 1 coach player qualifications.

He started being a referee in 1996 and two years later controlled his first grand final at Churchill Park featuring Nadera Panthers and Foodtown Eagles.

In 2013, ‘Gaya’ was in charge of Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League under-19 grand finals between Marist Storms and Nasinu Panthers.

He migrated to New Zealand and has being a referee. He is based in Australia and where he is a referee in Gold Coast competition.

Prasad visited Fiji and participated in the FSSRL semi-finals last week.

He also donated refereeing and sporting equipment to the rugby league referees here in Fiji.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank some who have contributed a lot to my career, especially trading from rugby union to the 13-man code,” he said.

“For the benefit of the match officials, it is my greatest pleasure to give back and help the referees go up another level for the benefit of rugby league in Fiji.”