Ryan Chand will represent Cakaudrove during the Rewa Galaxy Kaji Rugby tournament starting on Monday at the ANZ Stadium.

The Year Seven student of Khemendra Central College in Savusavu departed with the team for Suva on Friday.

His interest for rugby grew when he was in Year Five.

“After school I would hang out with my iTaukei classmates to play rugby,” Chand said.

“I’m not used to watching cartoons like other children as I want to play rugby with my friends.

“My parents have been supportive and I learned to balance my love for rugby and focus on my education.”

The 13-year-old of Savusavu and eldest of two siblings said his idol is Josua Tuisova, a Fijian 7s Olympian and Vodafone Flying Fijians wing.

“Tuisova has the speed, skills and strength and I hope to become like him one day,” he said.

“My participation in the Rewa Galaxy Kaji Rugby tournament is the first stepping stone for me and I will perform to my best.”

His father, Anand Chand, a businessman in Savusavu, was very proud of his son.

“I feel proud to know that he loves what he is doing and he is the first Fijian of Indian descent from his school to participate in the Cakaudrove Central team for the Rewa Galaxy Kaji Rugby,” Chand said.

“His participation itself has made our family and his school proud and we wish him all the best.”

The tournament starts on Monday and ends on Thursday.

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback:  shratikan@fijisun.com.fj