Keresi Maya, a 23-year-old rugby player, has overcome a career-threatening ban and personal struggles to earn a place on the Vodafone Fiji Bati squad for the upcoming 2024 Pacific Bowl Championship. Maya, previously a flanker for the Naitasiri under-19 rugby union team, faced a six-year suspension following an incident with a referee during a 2020 match against Tailevu.
This challenging period marked a turning point for Maya, who grappled with feelings of despair and thoughts of suicide. He attributes his resilience to the unwavering support from his family during his toughest moments.
“After the incident, I returned to my village and spent two years farming and training on my own,” Maya recounted. “Hearing about my six-year ban while watching my friends achieve their dreams was heartbreaking, but it also ignited a fire in me to improve my skills and make a comeback.”
Maya rejoined the rugby scene as a linesman at the Marist Sevens last year, but his passion for the sport remained strong. “I expected to head back home after the Marist Sevens, but I communicated with my parents about my desire to play rugby again,” he said. Eventually, he played for the Navy Albatross Rugby League team and caught the attention of the head coach after a local competition.
Through determination and faith, Maya exceeded expectations and secured his spot on the Fiji Bati team. “There were many challenges I faced in Suva that those back home are unaware of. I continued to push through quietly and never anticipated wearing the national jersey for Fiji Bati,” he shared.
Maya reflected on his journey, expressing gratitude for a higher purpose guiding him through low moments: “God had a different plan for me. I often felt inadequate during my struggles, but I reminded myself to persevere and pursue my dreams, and now here I am.”
The Fiji Bati team is set to compete against the PNG Kumuls at 8 PM on Saturday at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.