Anish Khem experienced the thrill of victory at the Inter District Championship (IDC) with Labasa for the first time at just 18 years old in 2011. After a 13-year wait, he celebrated another triumph with the Babasiga Lions on Sunday at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Currently living in Melbourne, Australia, Khem traveled back to Fiji to play for Labasa, filling in for his younger brother, Ashnil Raju, who was unable to participate due to family commitments after the birth of his son.
Khem expressed the significance of the moment, stating, “It’s a special moment as I made this trip all for my family. My brother Ashnil wanted to be in the IDC but needed to support his wife and new baby, so I assured him I would step in. To honor his contribution and love for football, I wore his Number 12 jersey throughout the tournament. Even though I typically wear Number 7, I felt a sense of pride and belonging wearing Ashnil’s jersey.”
Reflecting on their bond, Khem shared that he and his brother have grown up playing football together, and he always aimed to guide and support Ashnil. Winning the tournament holds special meaning for him, as he hopes to tell his nephew about the victory and dedicate it to his family in Australia, his parents in Labasa, and a close friend and die-hard Labasa supporter who recently passed away.
Khem noted that competing in the Sanatan World Cup in Sydney helped him keep fit for the IDC. After joining Labasa, he adapted to the game plan set by the coach and switched from playing upfront to a defensive role at left-back, where he felt he contributed effectively to the team’s strategy.
In the final match, Khem acknowledged that Navua presented a formidable challenge, having previously defeated Labasa in the pool game. He described the final as a tough competition and expressed relief and joy in overcoming them during the penalty shootout.
As he took the first penalty, Khem emphasized the importance of setting the tone for the team: “It’s crucial that the first kicker scores to give the team confidence,” he said. After successfully scoring, he looked to the heavens in gratitude, reflecting on his family.
Now that the tournament is over, Khem plans to spend a few days with his family in Labasa and is looking forward to returning for the upcoming Pacific Community Cup, where he may either join the Ravneel Pratap coached team as a guest player or represent the Australian All Stars.