[ Source : Fiji Football / Facebook ]

The Fijian football family is mourning the death of former Fiji Under-23, Suva and Savusavu rep, Jone Lati.

Korovata passed away at the age of 45 on Wednesday after falling severely ill earlier this year.

Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel has paid tribute to Lati, saying the player had been a great footballer and an inspirational leader of his time.

He has conveyed his heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolence to the grieving family,

Lati started his football career in Savusavu as a rugged defender in the mid 90s alongside legends like Pene Erenio and Thomas Vulivuli under then Savusavu FC coach and current president Manoj Lal.

At the corner of the new century, the trio were then picked for the Fiji U20 and Fiji U23 sides by coach Gurjit Singh and represented Fiji in the Olympic Qualifiers. After the Olympics camp disbanded, Lati was then signed by Suva FC and went on to represent them from the early 2000s till the early 2010s captaining the side on many occasions.

Lati represented Suva FC from 2000 to around 2010 captaining the side on numerous occasions.

He returned to his hometown in 2018 and played a few games for Savusavu again before retiring from district-level football for good that same season, only occasionally playing club-level football and futsal to keep fit.

He is survived by his kids and wife.