Rarawai youngsters sign up for Bula FC

A few overseas-based players are undergoing trial matches at the Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) Academy in Ba before they are signed up by the Bula FC.

This was confirmed to SUNsports yesterday as the team continue to train under head coach Stephane Auvray.

Also, Bula FC has confirmed the signing up of the following players;

MELVIN PRAKASH

The 17-year-old goalkeeper is the ninth player to have signed up for next year’s OFC Pro-League. The Ba native is regarded as of the best in the position and is following the footsteps of legendary Ba goalkeepers of Bale Raniga, Hurricane Naivivi, Iosefo Vosaboto and Isikeli Seva (Snr).

Prakash first picked up the gloves in Class 3 while attending FSC (Fiji Sugar Corporation) Primary School in Rarawai, quickly standing out in the school competitions.

His pathway sharpened when he entered high school as he joined the Fiji FA’s Academy development programme in Ba, where he earned selection for the national Under-15 trials.

Earlier this year, he represented Fiji as the first-choice goalkeeper at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar. Prakash plays for his brother Jese Tuicama and his mother, drawing strength and purpose from their support.

Now, stepping into the Bula FC system, the young keeper says he is grateful and grounded.

“Feels good to be part of something big… believe in the Lord before you believe in yourself and everything will be okay.”

RAM NARESH

He is one of our talented midfielder and the 10th player to sign up for Bula FC. Growing up watching his father Rinal Naresh and brother Rahul Naresh lace up their boots, the game quickly became a natural part of his life.

Ryan’s journey began at FSC Primary School in Rarawai, before rising through the ranks at U15, U17, and U19 level during high school.

From there, he climbed through Ba’s youth system starting as a wide-eyed U10 player until he broke into the Ba senior team at the age of 17.

Off the field, Ryan has dreams of pursuing studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of the South Pacific, but for now, football has called; and he’s ready to answer.

Asked about the move to Bula FC, Ryan shared: “This means a lot to me. It’s my first big step and I just want to make everyone proud...my family, the people of Ba, everyone who believed in me. This is a big opportunity to make something out of football, and I’m ready for it.”