Rewa football midfielder Tevita Waranaivalu has honored his family and teammates with his recent accolade, acknowledging their support during tough times. Waranaivalu made history as the first Fijian to receive the inaugural Digicel Fiji Premier League Golden Ball Award at the Fiji Football Association’s ceremony held at the Sugar Cane Growers Building in Lautoka on Friday.
The native of Naisomua, Tailevu, reflected on his challenging past two seasons marked by injuries and struggles with weight. “I have been through a lot,” he remarked, highlighting the obstacles he faced, including an injury early in the season. He expressed gratitude for pushing through difficulties, even when he found himself on the bench for several games.
“I was only able to play two to three minutes at times, but I never lost hope and kept working hard, especially on my diet as I had been overweight,” he continued. Waranaivalu acknowledged that despite his battles, he remained optimistic about his abilities.
He credited his family for their unwavering support throughout his career, saying, “They’ve always been by my side, and that award is also a credit to the whole team. Without them, I couldn’t have achieved this. We’ve grown together significantly as a team.”
Waranaivalu also dedicated his achievement to his two sons, Richard and King David, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and resilience. Earlier this month, he garnered the player of the tournament award during the Police Inter Formation Championship 2024 in Nausori.