Rewa football midfielder Tevita Waranaivalu has dedicated his recent accolade to his family and teammates who have supported him through challenging times. Waranaivalu made history as the first Fijian player to receive the inaugural Digicel Fiji Premier League Golden Ball Award during the Fiji Football Association’s award ceremony held at the Sugar Cane Growers Building in Lautoka on Friday night.
Hailing from Naisomua, Tailevu, Waranaivalu reflected on the struggles he faced over the past two seasons, particularly dealing with injuries and issues related to his weight. “I have been through a lot,” he said, mentioning how he sustained an injury at the beginning of the season yet still managed to persevere until the end.
He described how his situation had often seen him coming off the bench or playing limited minutes, yet he maintained hope and worked diligently on improving his fitness, especially in managing his diet. “Every time I went on the national team, I was overweight, but I still believed in myself that I could do it,” he added.
Waranaivalu expressed immense gratitude for the unwavering support from his family throughout his career. He stated, “They’ve always been by my side, supporting me, and that award is also a credit to the whole team. Without them, I couldn’t have received it.”
He emphasized the team’s shared experiences, both financially and personally, allowing them to grow together and achieve this milestone. He dedicated the award to his sons, Richard and King David.
Earlier this month, Waranaivalu also won the player of the tournament award at the Police Inter Formation Championship 2024 in Nausori.