Fifteen-year-old Jayden Edward Yee recently had a life-changing experience representing Fiji at the FIBA U15 Oceania Championship 2024 held in Australia. A dedicated basketball player from Yat Sen Secondary School, Jayden’s journey to the international stage comes after six years of hard work and commitment to the sport.
Jayden expressed his profound gratitude to his family, especially his mother and brother, who encouraged his passion for basketball. He shared, “My mother and brother made me take up basketball. My brother is my inspiration; I grew up watching him play, and that’s how I got motivated to pursue the sport.”
Earning a spot on the Fiji U15 team is a significant achievement for Jayden, and he takes great pride in this milestone. The tournament proved to be an emotional rollercoaster for the Fiji team. They kicked off the competition with impressive victories over Guam and the Cook Islands. However, they faced a tough challenge in the quarterfinals against Samoa, ultimately losing that match. The team also fell short against Tahiti in the classification rounds.
Despite the setbacks, Jayden remained undeterred, noting the strengths of the Samoa players in terms of speed, size, and skill. He emphasized an important lesson learned from the experience: “Never give up. Even if you’re down by many points, the most important thing is to enjoy the game.”
With aspirations to inspire young Fijians to engage in basketball, Jayden remarked, “I want to encourage more children in Fiji to play basketball. It’s a growing sport, and it allows you to travel and meet new people.” His determination to make a lasting impact in Fijian basketball reflects a hopeful vision for the future of the sport.
In summary, Jayden’s remarkable journey illustrates the power of dedication and passion in sports, inspiring both local youth and the broader Fijian community. His experiences at the championship not only contribute to his personal development but also foster a greater interest in basketball among young athletes in Fiji.
Leave a comment