Read on Twitter
Tomorrow is the 99th birthday of IL Bula, one of the finest cricketers from Fiji
Bula is better known for posessing the longest name for a first class cricketer- Ilikena Lasarusa Talebulamaineiilikenamainavaleniveivakabulaimainakulalakebalau
A few tweets about his name
+
Bula is better known for posessing the longest name for a first class cricketer- Ilikena Lasarusa Talebulamaineiilikenamainavaleniveivakabulaimainakulalakebalau
A few tweets about his name
+
Sometime in 1921, an elder in an eastern island in Fiji fell seriously ill. He spent several days in the hospital and it seemed that he would die.
At this time, his grandson was born in the same hospital.
+
At this time, his grandson was born in the same hospital.
+
Coincidentally, the grandfather started to recover and was able to go home in a few days.
The delighted old man gave his child a name that meant "returned alive from Nankula hospital at Lakeba island in the Lau group"
+
The delighted old man gave his child a name that meant "returned alive from Nankula hospital at Lakeba island in the Lau group"
+
When translated, it gives Talebulamaineiilikenamainavaleniveivakabulaimainakulalakebalau ...
"Bula" is a common greeting in Fiji. Similar to "hello" and meaning "may you live long"
+
"Bula" is a common greeting in Fiji. Similar to "hello" and meaning "may you live long"
+
Fiji toured New Zealand in 1948 and played 17 matches. Bula was the highest scorer with 1011 runs in these matches.
A story about how he came to adopt the short name "IL Bula" is given by a newspaper.
+
A story about how he came to adopt the short name "IL Bula" is given by a newspaper.
+
In the second match of the New Zealand tour, Fiji was set a target of 67 runs in 50 minutes.
They got the required runs in 25 minutes - Bula 53* in 20 minutes.
+
They got the required runs in 25 minutes - Bula 53* in 20 minutes.
+
Such batting feats made him very popular. He became a hero for small boys. They chased him and his autograph was constantly in demand.
This was a little inconvenient. He soon began to sign himself simply I. L. Bula.
+
This was a little inconvenient. He soon began to sign himself simply I. L. Bula.
+
I don't know how true this. It could also be that the newspapers shortened his name for convenience and he adopted it himself.
Two versions of his name appears online. The longer one is 63 letters long and shorter one only 50.
End.
Two versions of his name appears online. The longer one is 63 letters long and shorter one only 50.
End.
