Teenager Admits Table Tennis Has Taken Her Places
This award has boosted my self confidence in expanding my career in the sport of table tennis and most importantly I hope to encourage young girls to live out their dreams and take part in any sport that they are comfortable with.
Friday 08 March 2019 | 13:41
Filomena Faliki (left), received the Fiji Sports Council 2018 Fiji Sports Award Young Female Athlete of the Year from CJ Patel Group of Companies general manager manufacturing Moses Hicks at FMF Gymnasium on March 01, 2019.
2018 Weet-Bix Young Female Athlete of the Year Filomena Faliki believes that age is no barrier for females who wish to represent Fiji in the International Sporting Arena.
The 14-year-old Vunuku, Moala, Lau native is living her dream of representing Fiji in a sport she loves and hold dear to her heart.
“At such a young age, the game of table tennis has taken me to Vanuatu, Australia, New Zealand and Japan,” Ms Faliki said.
“This award has boosted my self confidence in expanding my career in the sport of table tennis and most importantly I hope to encourage young girls to live out their dreams and take part in any sport that they are comfortable with,” she said.
“You will grow in love with a sport if you are comfortable playing it and that could be the beginning of representing Fiji in a larger sporting scale.”
She said the award was unexpected however she was humbled with the recognition;
“I am very excited and I still can’t believe that I have won this award tonight, it has come as a surprise because I thought there were other young female athletes nominated that were worthy of the award,”
“I’m humbled and grateful to table tennis Fiji for nominating me in this award category, nomination alone was good enough for me but this award is just an added bonus to it and I am grateful to be recognised tonight.
“I have worked hard as a player for Fiji table tennis and at a young age I thank the association for their constant support in nurturing the young talents that are growing up in the sport.”
The Year Nine student of Sacred Heart College in Laucala Bay said she dedicated the award to her parents and her four siblings.
“The support from home has been overwhelming, my sister and my father has always followed me around to where ever I go and play.
“One of the most memorable events in my table tennis career was when I qualified for the World Cadet Championship in Japan in 2018 and I remember how supportive my parents were in preparing me physically, spiritually and mentally whenever I prepare for a tour.
“I can’t thank them enough for their continuous support in my sporting journey.”
