For two teenagers from the Northern Division, a qualification to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Peru later this year will see them create legacies in their respective families.
For Vilikesa Vosagaga, 15, and Watisoni Batirerega, 16, making the national U17 side has been a dream come true.
Vosagaga, who hails from Saivou Village in Seaqaqa, plays for his district’s senior and youth teams.
The Seaqaqa Central College Year 11 student featured for his district at the 2022 Courts Inter District Championship and his performance caught the eyes of national selectors.
“I was surprised when I got called for the first trials in Ba and I told myself that I will do my best. When I came for my second trials, I knew that I will do anything to make the team. I am glad I am here in camp and now just waiting for the start of the tournament,” Vosagaga said.
The attacking midfielder said he would do his best to help the team qualify for the world cup and make his family proud.
“They are already proud since I am in the team. I have nine brothers and two sisters and I am the number six. All of us stay in the village and I would like to thank them for the prayers and support that they have given me,” Vosagaga added.
Vosagaga said he had an ambition to join a professional football club in the future. Another player in the squad is Batirerega. The Dreketi Central College Year 11 student said he had been playing football since he was 10.
“Camp has been going well. It has been challenging as well. Being away from home and juggling many things on my own has not been easy,” Batirerega said.
He added that being away from home for nearly three months was the biggest challenge.
“It has been challenging for most of us. For me personally my parents prioritise education over football. So I had to balance my training with education so I could continue playing,” Batirerega added.
The mid-fielder said his family had been very supportive and he would do what it took to help the team reach the world cup. The OFC U17 Championship will be played from January 11-28 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva and Fiji FA Academy Grounds in Ba.
The Baby Bula Boys has been drawn in Group A with Tonga and Samoa.
They start their campaign against Samoa on January 12 at 7pm at HFC Bank Stadium. The final group match is against Tonga on January 18 at 7pm.
