Rewa football midfielder Tevita Waranaivalu has expressed his gratitude to his family and teammates who supported him during challenging times after winning a significant accolade. Waranaivalu made history by becoming the first Fijian footballer to receive the Digicel Fiji Premier League Golden Ball Award, which was presented at the Fiji Football Association’s award night held at the Sugar Cane Growers Building in Lautoka on Friday.
A native of Naisomua, Tailevu, Waranaivalu reflected on the difficulties he faced over the past two seasons, particularly dealing with injuries and weight issues. “I have been through a lot,” he admitted. He shared the struggles he encountered at the beginning of the season due to injury, but emphasized his determination to finish strong.
Despite facing challenges that limited his playtime, Waranaivalu remained hopeful and committed to improving, especially concerning his fitness. He noted that being on the national team while overweight motivated him to strive for better conditions.
Waranaivalu acknowledged the unwavering support of his family, stating, “They’ve always been by my side, supporting me, and this award is also a credit to the whole team. Without them, I couldn’t have achieved this.” He underscored the strong team spirit and their ability to endure financial hardships together, attributing much of his success to this unity. He dedicated the award to his two sons, Richard and King David.
Earlier in the month, Waranaivalu also received the player of the tournament award during the Police Inter Formation Championship 2024 held in Nausori.