Anginesh Prasad, a respected local football coach, has achieved a remarkable victory that honors the memory of his late father-in-law by leading the Labasa Football Association to success in a tournament. Known by his peers as AJ, Prasad, who holds a B-License coaching certification, stepped in as a Technical Advisor for Labasa during the 2024 FMF Inter District Championship (IDC). Collaborating with Coach Ravneel Pratap, they guided the Babasiga Lions to a celebrated win over Navua at Churchill Park in Lautoka last month.
In a heartfelt statement to FijiLive, Prasad revealed that this victory was particularly significant as it fulfilled a long-held wish of his late father-in-law Kamla Prasad, who always encouraged him to assist Labasa in achieving tournament success. “Ever since I took up coaching, he had been asking me to help Labasa win a tournament. Although we couldn’t achieve that while he was alive, I seized the opportunity when Labasa President Rayaz came to me for assistance in the IDC,” Prasad explained, highlighting the collective effort involved in the win.
Reflecting on the moment, he expressed gratitude for the support he received from players, officials, and fans, which allowed him to contribute his coaching knowledge to the team. Prasad emphasized the importance of their game strategy, which included winning the first two group matches and making tactical decisions like resting yellow-carded players during the quarterfinals, ultimately leading the team to the semifinals and final.
Prasad’s journey is symbolic of dedication and perseverance in the face of loss, demonstrating that love for family and community can drive personal and collective achievements in sports. With the tournament behind him, Prasad, who also balances his role as Operations Manager at P. Meghji Group of Companies in Lautoka, is contemplating his future in coaching but remains open to helping any team in need of his expertise.
In summary, Anginesh Prasad’s recent triumph with Labasa not only highlights his coaching skills but also underscores the power of personal sentiment and community bonds in sports. His story serves as an inspiration, showing that even in difficult times, one can find purpose and fulfillment through passion and dedication.
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