Rewa football midfielder Tevita Waranaivalu has honored his family and teammates by dedicating his recent award to them, acknowledging their unwavering support during challenging times. Waranaivalu became the first Fijian to receive the inaugural Digicel Fiji Premier League Golden Ball Award at the Fiji Football Association’s awards ceremony held at the Sugar Cane Growers Building in Lautoka on Friday night.
The native of Naisomua, Tailevu shared that he faced numerous challenges over the past two seasons, including injuries and struggles with his weight. “I have been through a lot,” he expressed. He described his journey as having many highs and lows, particularly noting his injury at the start of the season which motivated him to finish strong.
Despite spending time on the bench and only getting short playing minutes, he remained hopeful and focused on improving his fitness, especially after dealing with being overweight. “Every time I went on the national team, I was overweight, but I still believed in myself that I could do it,” he said.
Waranaivalu emphasized the crucial role his family played in his success, stating that their constant support has been invaluable wherever he competes. “Without them, I couldn’t have got it. They’ve stood by me, and we’ve grown as a team a lot,” he noted. He also highlighted the team spirit that has helped them persevere through financial difficulties and personal issues.
As a further testament to his skill, Waranaivalu was recognized earlier this month with the player of the tournament award at the Police Inter Formation Championship 2024 in Nausori. He dedicated his recent accolade to his two sons, Richard and King David.