The Labasa football team suffered a huge setback weeks away from hosting the Vodafone Fiji FACT tournament.

The 2020 Courts Interdistrict Championship (IDC) winners are going to miss the services of their star midfielder Ashnil Raju.

The Tovata, Labasa native has been the heartbeat of the Labasa midfield throughout the season.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, the 25-year-old school teacher confirmed that he was getting married to his fiancée, Shiwashni Lata on Saturday, November 28, at the Khatri Hall in Labasa and would not be available for the tournament.

“My wedding date was out in February, this year and preparations have been done,” Raju said.

“Invitation cards have been sent out and our families are coming from Suva for the wedding. They have already paid their fares and that’s why we were unable to change the date.”

He indicated that his fiancée, Shiwashni is a nurse at the Labasa Hospital.

“She is from Naodamu and we went to school together at the Shiri Guru Nanak Khalsa College.”

The first week of the Fiji FACT tournament is on November 21-22 with Group matches being played Suva and Lautoka. The tournament’s second week is from November 25-29 at Subrail Park, Labasa.

Raju said his absence would not affect the performance of the Labasa football team as they had the depth in the squad.

“There are capable players in the team who can replace me,” he said.

“My position is right midfield. I think Melvin Mani and Kritesh Prasad can replace me during the Fiji FACT.”

Raju played for the Fijian Under-20 side that qualified for the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

He first represented Labasa in 2014 before he moved to Dreketi in 2016. He returned to Labasa in 2018 and has been there ever since. He is also a member of the national football team.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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