Eighteen- year old Rynal Rahil Chand is the baby of the Digicel national futsal team currently in camp in preparation for the OFC Futsal Championship to be staged in Fiji next month.
Chand, who is a Year 13 student of Bhawani Dayal Arya College attends his classes every day from the Fiji FA Academy after an early morning training session.
Speaking to Fiji FA Media, Chand said it was like a dream come true.
“It was always my dream to don the national jumper and I think it is like a dream come true for me,”
“I know it is not easy but I am ready to take up all the challenges,”
“It’s my love and passion for the sport that had brought me this far and I am ready to do my best for the country,”
Chand said he started playing football when he was 15 years old.
“I never played football during my primary school days and I started to play when I was approached by Northland Tailevu football officials to join the team,”
“It was a great journey with the team as I started playing in the Digicel U16 Youth League and then in the U19 League. From U19 I also play for the senior team and then to the Futsal team,” said Chand
Chand said he got in love with futsal while playing for Northland Tailevu in the futsal league.
“I never thought I will have an opportunity to play futsal and I am proud to say that I love playing the game and I would like to thank Northland Tailevu officials for their support in my career,”
“If it was not for the support of the Northland Tailevu team I would have not been here today,” said Chand
Chand said he was ready to face all the challenges.
“I have been attending my classes from the academy and I also do my studies in camp. I am very fortunate to be part of the team as everyone supports me in my career,”
“Though it is not easy but for the love of the game I am ready to take up all the challenges and I am taking it.
“There are enormous support from my teammates and some of them do help me in my studies,” Chand said
“My aim is to do well in my studies and also in football so I can make my family proud.”
The OFC Futsal Championship will be held in September at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
