Sir Moti Tikaram, KBE, CF, LLB(NZ) (18 March 1925 – 17 May 2012) Tikaram was the President of the Fiji Football Association from 1959 to 1960 and is credited with making the Association multi-racial and initiating moves to have its name changed from Fiji Indian Football Association (an Association which was formed on October 8, 1938).
He was a judge of the Supreme Court of Fiji, the first ombudsman of independent Fiji and a football administrator. He was the first local person to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Fiji. He served on numerous boards and committees and was the patron of several sporting organisations.
He was a witty personality with a great sense of humour. He was a good and patient listener and was always happy to share his views on wide range of topics.
Unbeknown to some might be the fact that Sir Moti Tikaram had a great interest in sport of all types. In his earlier days, he was involved in soccer, cricket, boxing, table tennis, and later on, developed interest in chess and rugby. He held top administrative positions in soccer, rugby, tennis, table tennis, chess, FASANOC, Fiji Cricket and scouting. His organization skills were what got him elected as President of Fiji Football Association in the first place back in 1959-1960. In the same year, he got elected as the president of Suva Football Association.
One of the sporting highlights of his career was Suva soccer team winning the 1960 IDC trophy. According to his son Anil Tikaram, this was such a proud moment for him as the president on Suva soccer and he held a reception for the team and officials at the Grand Pacific Hotel. Sir Tikaram was once again a happy man when Suva was finally able to break the IDC jinx after two decades in 1981 and he was the one who presented the trophy to the winning captain Jone Ratu. It took a further 18 years for Suva to win again in 2012 but this time he was celebrating in Heaven.
Fiji FA recognizes the zeal and high ideals with which Sir Moti Tikaram served Fiji soccer during his years in office. His induction into the Fiji Soccer Hall of Fame two years back is the lasting testimony to the priceless deeds that he left behind for Fiji FA to build upon. He also served as the vice-patron and later patron of Fiji Football Association.
Hence, Fiji FA does not forget the effective contribution made by individuals. In this case of Sir Moti Tikaram, one must not forget the courage he had in initiating moves to have the Association’s name changed from Fiji Indian Football Association to bring in multiracialism.
