Faith Keeps Ravai Going

He was among the Digicel Fijian football players and officials that presented their i-Tatau to the President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere at The State House, Suva, yesterday.

It has been a challenging journey for 18-year-old London based central defender Peter Ravai.

Firstly, he was dropped from the 24-member squad and as he was about to head back to London, he was recalled to the team.

He joined the squad at the Fiji Football Academy in Ba and says, one needs to have faith in everything they do.

The national team are rounding up their preparatory phase for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Qatar, this month.

“I felt very grateful to be in the team and all my hard work that I’ve put in has paid off for me to get to this stage, and make my family in Fiji and in England proud,” Ravai told SUNsports.

Ravai was called in after Ilisoni Logaivau was ruled out after sustaining a severe injury while playing for Labasa against Rewa at Subrail Park, last year.

The Fiji FA medical team, after getting Logaivau’s scan reports, ruled him out for a minimum of four weeks.

Meanwhile, Ravai was not disheartened when his name was not in the initial squad.

“When I found out I wasn’t in the squad I never lost hope because I knew it was God’s plan,” he said.

“I kept my faith and kept praying hard for me to get to this stage.

“I only thank God because I wouldn’t be here in the final camp if it wasn’t for him.”

With tears of joy his mother Lenny Tamani, insisted that Ravai while continue playing football to always seek God first in everything he does.

“I cannot find words to describe this. It has been his dream to play football and to represent Fiji is a bonus.

“We are supporting his football journey and we thank Fiji FA for the support,” she said from London

The team leave for Qatar tomorrow.

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