The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players are having a unique pre-season experience as they embark on a return to their roots in Kadavu. For players like Kemu Valetini, Brayton Legge, Etonia Waqa, Simione Kuruvoli, Philip Baselala, and Vuate Karawalevu, stepping onto the land where their ancestral ties lie has been a heartfelt journey.
The team has set their pre-season camp at the Namalata Central School ground, where they have been training since Tuesday. Valetini, who made his first visit to his ancestral village of Galoa, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to reconnect with his family’s history and the local community. He shared, “Experiencing something different by training here and reconnecting with the people has been unreal. It makes me feel happy and grateful to return to a place my dad left at such an early age.”
Similarly, Legge reflected on the humbling experience of being home for the first time, sharing his awe at the stunning landscape around him. “Coming off the boat was an eye-opener,” he remarked, captivated by the mountains and sea that surround the area.
Baselala, celebrating the beauty of his hometown of Solotavui, found joy in showcasing his paradise to his teammates. He noted, “Being back on my home soil means a lot to me, and it’s awesome that we got to bond as a team here.”
Kuruvoli emphasized the significance of connecting with families and the community, especially for the younger generations who witnessed their training sessions. “The boys have enjoyed the training and giving back to our roots,” he conveyed.
Waqa and Karawalevu, who haven’t visited Kadavu in nearly a decade, expressed gratitude to the Drua management for bringing them back to their homeland, highlighting the emotional weight of the experience.
This pre-season journey serves not only as a training camp but also as a meaningful reconnection with heritage and community, illustrating the profound impact of returning to one’s roots. The bond these players are fostering with their culture and each other promises to enhance their teamwork as they move forward into the season.
This heartwarming excursion underscores the essence of unity and heritage, fostering a deeper understanding between the players and their heritage, which can only strengthen their resolve and camaraderie in the games ahead.
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