Proudest Moment For The People Of Lautoka

Nothing brings people of different nations or districts together than a sporting event and especially when your team is the last one standing.

The dust settled at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva two weeks ago and only players with the blue jerseys were the last ones standing in the Digicel Fiji FACT Tournament.

That was the HyperChem Pharmacy Lautoka FC. For all Lautoka people, wherever they are, that is the proudest moment especially when our sugar city side achieved a feat such as this after 21 years – a truly historic ocassion.

As your president, I am probably the proudest person with blue blood running in my veins as the officials and team along with ardent supporters managed to get through some tough times.

At this juncture can I pay special mention to HyperChem Pharmacy for their unwavering and tremendous support – Thank You Very Much.

Many had left us for dead – some once hardened Lautoka fans but we trudged on despite this and the end show was the players standing on the podium with the trophy. The team has lifted the spirits of the people of Lautoka and it had come through sheer hard work.

In the words of a former prime minister, “each of you reminds us that with unwavering determination and unrelenting effort, anything is possible.”

Many had given our team no hope of reaching at least winning our pool, let alone the semifinal. But with my sponsors, executives, team officials and family members of the players we knew that this mission was possible and we were right – it was not Mission Impossible.

To our beloved HyperChem Pharmacy Lautoka players I say - Congratulations on your well-deserved victory. Your hard work, dedication, and passion for the game paid off.

You should be very proud of yourself. What an amazing performance throughout the tournament. Your talent and determination shone through, and you truly deserved this win. Keep up the great work.

Your teamwork and sportsmanship were truly inspiring, and you made us all proud.

Your victory is a testament to the countless hours of practice, dedication, and sacrifice you have put into your game.

Your victory is a true reflection of your determination, discipline, and skillful ability. We couldn’t be more proud of you. Congratulations

Lautoka Soccer FC president Shalendra Prasad is not new to bringing victories to the sugar city. Besides being the longest serving president, if one counts all the years in the post, some people say he has the ‘Midas’ touch whenever he returns as Lautoka FC president.

His record says it all:

He returned in 2004 while acting president in 2005 to guide Lautoka to a 2-0 win over Ba in the IDC to end a 20-year drought

While president for a number of years, he guided the men in blue to a 4-0 win over Nadi in in the 2009 National League after 20 winless years

In 2010 Prasad again guided Lautoka to a 7-0 hammering of Ba in the Champions versus Champions tournament after 17 years without a win

Story By: Charles Chambers

Feedback: charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj