Anish Khem celebrated a significant achievement in his football career by securing the Inter District Championship (IDC) title with Labasa on Sunday, marking 13 years since his first victory in 2011. The triumph took place at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Khem, a member of Fiji’s Olympic team in 2016, traveled from Melbourne, Australia, to represent Labasa in the IDC, filling in for his younger brother, Ashnil Raju, who was unable to participate due to the birth of his son.
“This moment is incredibly special to me. I made this trip for my family. My brother Ashnil is with his wife and newborn son in Labasa, and he really wanted to play in the IDC,” Khem shared. “I assured him that I would take his place and decided to wear his Number 12 jersey throughout the tournament. Although I usually wear Number 7, wearing Ashnil’s jersey gave me a sense of pride and connection to him.”
He expressed his dedication to his brother, noting, “He used to tease me not to mention him, but he knew I would honor his jersey and give my all. We grew up playing football together, and as the older brother, I have always been there to support him.”
Khem considers winning the championship the perfect gift for his nephew. “I am excited to tell him one day that I won this trophy for him because his dad couldn’t be here,” he said. He also dedicated the victory to his family in Australia, his parents in Labasa, and a close friend and Labasa fan who recently passed away.
Reflecting on his tournament journey, Khem mentioned that participating in the recent Sanatan World Cup in Sydney helped maintain his fitness. After playing alongside his brother and teammates in that tournament, he worked diligently to adapt to Labasa’s game plan.
Khem had to switch positions during the tournament, starting as a forward but later playing left-back, which he felt positively contributed to the team’s performance.
In the final match, he acknowledged the challenge posed by Navua, recalling their previous matchup where Labasa had lost. “It was a tough challenge. They played excellently in the final, and the penalty shootout felt like anyone’s game. I’m thrilled we managed to win,” Khem stated.
He emphasized the importance of scoring the first penalty, believing it sets the tone for the team. “Scoring first gives an advantage and boosts the morale of the teammates. I was confident, and when I saw the net ripple, I looked up, thanked God, and thought of my family while smiling.”
With the championship secured, Khem plans to spend quality time with his family in Labasa and hopes to participate in the upcoming Pacific Community Cup, where he may either return to the team coached by Ravneel Pratap as a guest player or represent the Australian All Stars.