Anish Khem celebrated a significant achievement by reclaiming the Inter District Championship (IDC) trophy with Labasa, having first tasted victory at just 18 years old in 2011. After a 13-year wait, he lifted the prestigious trophy again on Sunday at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Khem, who was part of Fiji’s Olympic team in 2016, currently lives in Melbourne, Australia. He made the journey back 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.
“It’s a special moment, as I made this trip all for my family. My brother Ashnil couldn’t make it to the IDC because he needed to be with his wife and the baby in Labasa,” Khem stated. He honored his brother’s spirit by wearing Ashnil’s Number 12 jersey, despite typically playing in Number 7, saying it connected him to Ashnil and amplified his pride as his older sibling.
Khem shared that his brother would jokingly ask him not to wear his name but trusted him to do well in the jersey, having grown up together in football. Khem expressed that winning the tournament was not just for his satisfaction, but was the best gift he could offer his nephew, as he would one day tell him that this victory was for him.
He also dedicated the win to his family in Australia and his parents in Labasa, as well as a fellow Labasa supporter who had recently passed away, someone he considered a close brother.
Reflecting on his preparation for the IDC, Khem noted that participation in the recent Sanatan World Cup in Sydney significantly helped him maintain his fitness level. He played for Labasa Sanatan alongside his brother and other teammates, finding it beneficial when joining the Labasa squad.
In the tournament, he initially played in an attacking role, then shifted to a left-back position on his coach’s advice. He felt he performed well defensively, contributing to the team’s success.
Khem remarked on the challenge posed by Navua in the finals, acknowledging that they had previously defeated Labasa during the pool stage. He described the final match as extremely tough and was relieved to come out victorious, particularly after a penalty shootout that felt uncertain.
Taking the first penalty kick was significant for Khem, as he believed it was crucial to set a positive tone for his team. He felt confident going into the shot and was grateful when he scored, looking up in thanks and smiling at the thought of his family.
Now that his mission is accomplished, Khem plans to spend some time with his family in Labasa. He hopes to return for the upcoming Pacific Community Cup, where he may either guest for Ravneel Pratap’s coached side or play for the Australian All Stars.