Anish Khem celebrated his return to the Inter District Championship (IDC) with Labasa on Sunday, ending a 13-year wait for the prestigious trophy. He first achieved success with the team at the age of 18 in 2011 and made a special trip back to Fiji from his home in Melbourne, Australia, to support the team in place of his younger brother, Ashnil Raju, who could not participate due to the birth of his child.
“This trip is special to me as I did it for my family. Ashnil was eager to play in the IDC but needed to be with his wife and newborn son,” Khem explained. He felt it was important to honor his brother’s commitment to football by wearing Ashnil’s Number 12 jersey throughout the tournament instead of his usual Number 7. He believed that wearing the jersey gave him a deeper sense of connection and pride.
Khem reminisced about their journey together in football, noting, “While he jokingly asked me not to claim his name, he knew I would do justice to his jersey. Growing up, I always guided him in football.”
Winning the tournament was particularly meaningful for Khem, who views it as a gift for his nephew. “I want 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 and his parents in Labasa, as well as a close friend and devoted Labasa supporter who recently passed away.
Reflecting on his preparation, Khem mentioned that playing in the Sanatan World Cup in Sydney helped improve his fitness. He played alongside his brother and teammates there, which aided his readiness for the IDC, where he adapted to a defensive role after initially playing upfront.
Khem acknowledged the challenge posed by their finalists, Navua, who had previously beaten them in the pool stage. “It was tough—very tough. They played exceptionally well, and the penalty shootout felt like anyone’s game. I’m thrilled that we managed to come out on top,” he stated.
Discussing his experience taking the first penalty in the shootout, Khem emphasized the importance of setting a positive tone for his team. “Scoring first is crucial as it lifts the team’s morale,” he remarked, showing gratitude to God and thinking about his family when he successfully netted his shot.
With the championship secured, Khem plans to spend time with his family in Labasa and aims to return for the upcoming Pacific Community Cup, possibly rejoining the Ravneel Pratap coached side or representing the Australian All Stars.