Aleeza Raza, a defender born in Australia, has been chosen to represent the Fiji U16 team in the forthcoming OFC U-16 Women’s Championship in Suva, Fiji. At just 16 years old, Raza has a strong connection to her family’s Fijian roots, as her parents come from Labasa, with her mother from Bocalevu and her father from Basoga. She currently competes with the Southern Districts Raiders FC in Australia.
Football is an integral part of Raza’s family history, particularly in Labasa, a town renowned for its love of the sport. Speaking to FijiLive, she credited her father, Ali Raza, for inspiring her to embrace football. “My parents inspired me to take up football, especially my dad,” she mentioned. Raza recounted how her journey began with a simple outing to the park, where she discovered her passion for the game.
Athletic talent runs in her family, as her mother’s grandfather was a professional wrestler, contributing to the sporting legacy Aleeza is eager to continue. “Representing Fiji feels incredible; it’s emotional because it comes from our ancestors and is deeply rooted in our family. It’s a proud moment for me, my family, and friends,” Raza expressed.
Although she faces challenges in adjusting to a new culture and environment, Raza finds the experience of camp life to be rewarding. “The cultural differences are challenging; it’s a bit hard to adapt, but everyone’s been very supportive,” she noted, appreciating the kind assistance from her coaches and teammates. Raza also shared that her family will be traveling from Sydney to support her during the competition this week.