If there was no chance of playing on our pitches, then I would probably meet up with friends and go and find somewhere to set up a game says 10 year old Avishaan Kash Chand
Chand enjoys the camaraderie that his friends share through football. “We have a lot of fun, we laugh a lot. We also talk about everything that has happened over the past week in the footballing world… the best moments, goals, saves.”
Football brings light to Chand’s eyes. “When I play football, I’m in a great mood for the whole day,” he reflects. “I feel good and fulfilled. When I play, I forget about all my problems, about everything.”
He insists that the weather conditions can actually have a positive effect. “Nothing can get in the way of me playing football. Bad weather doesn’t stop me playing football for a moment… the weather only makes the game more interesting.”
Speaking to Fiji FA media the Saraswati Primary School student says the Mom & Pop League helps him developing character, stamina and patience; things that come in handy during football match.
The 10 year old holds a cherished dream – that he will make a successful career in the game one day.
“My dream is to become a professional footballer and to be the best player I can be.”
This determined young football devotee with stars in his eyes has an instinctive feel for the values conveyed by Fiji Football – in particular, the belief that football should be available to everyone, everywhere.
“Without football, life wouldn’t be as vibrant,” he emphasises. “It wouldn’t be as colorful.”
‘Football belongs to everybody’
“Football belongs to everybody who wants to play the game. If you have the desire to play the game, then you can play wherever you like, “Chand added
His sister Avishna Chand says her brother is very passionate about football
“He started playing football when he was 6 years old. Then he got into football through my uncle and he loved it straight away.”
“He always watches clips of football stars on YouTube and tries doing it home, “said Avishna
Avishna recalls the day he scored a goal for his school team and how jubilant he was.
“He was only 8 years old when he played for his school U14 team in a tournament and he scored a goal which he celebrated for a week sharing with his friends,”Avishna said smiling
Avishna said the Mom & Pop League program which Fiji FA has introduced has been able to give not only Avishaan an opportunity to reach the top level of football in the country, but others from his community as well.
“It is creating a lot of opportunities for him and for the young kids in my community in Rewa,” she said.
Avishna say her brother spends his time more playing football.
“After school he will come home, he will have something to eat and will go to the ground with friends to play football,”
“My uncle Ashwin Chand was a former Rewa and Nasinu rep and he has inspired him to play position of a striker and midfielder.
“At a very early age Avishaan was seen using his both foot in kicking the ball and he has qualities in controlling and juggling the ball,”
His favorite international player is Christiano Ronaldo and he love wearing number 7 jersey while he is a big fan of Fijian wonder boy Roy Krishna.
Apart from football, Avishaan loves fishing, dancing, singing and making friends.
