Rewa football midfielder Tevita Waranaivalu has honored his family and teammates with his recent award, acknowledging their support during challenging times. Waranaivalu made history by becoming the first Fijian footballer to receive the inaugural Digicel Fiji Premier League Golden Ball Award at the Fiji Football Association’s award ceremony held at the Sugar Cane Growers Building in Lautoka.
The native of Naisomua, Tailevu reflected on the struggles he faced over the past two seasons, particularly dealing with injuries and weight issues. “I have been through a lot,” he admitted, sharing his journey of setbacks and recoveries.
Waranaivalu began the season injured and found himself on the bench for several matches, yet he maintained hope and continued to work on his fitness, particularly focusing on his diet to overcome his weight challenges. “Every time I went on the national team, I was overweight, but I still believed in myself that I could do it,” he added.
He expressed immense gratitude for the unwavering support of his family, stating, “They’ve always been by my side, supporting me, and that award is also a credit to the whole team. Without them, I couldn’t have got it. They’ve stood by me, and we’ve grown as a team a lot.”
Waranaivalu dedicated the award to his two sons, Richard and King David, while also emphasizing the team spirit that helped them navigate financial challenges together. Earlier this month, he also earned the player of the tournament award during the Police Inter Formation Championship 2024 in Nausori.