Football friends reunite after 32 years
It’s a best Christmas visit to get a brotherly visit from Feroz- Semi Tabaiwalu
Football is said to have the power to bring people together out of friendship and following.
And last Wednesday a former footballer and a good friend, who hadn’t met each other for 32 years reunited.
Ba and national team footballer, Semi Tabaiwalu had a visit from his longtime friend Feroz Sahib of Calgary, Canada.
Sahib, the former Lautoka resident had forged a friendship while closely following Ba’s dominant years from 1975-1980, when they created history for winning 6-straight IDC titles, a record that still stands.
“I have always followed Ba from early years and Semi (Tabaiwalu) from mid 70s, we became good friends up until I migrated to Canada in 1987,” said Sahib after their meeting in Rarawai, Ba.
Sahib said a social media, Facebook search led him to locate Semi, they had since conversed frequently.
“We met after 32 years, had a lot of catching up to do”, he said.
“We relished on the good old times, endless hours of talanoa (talk).
“We missed our buddy, the former Lautoka goalkeeper,
Vijay Anand, who passed away young, Semi, Bobby and I were good friends, sounds odd for Lautoka guys to befriend a Ba footballer.”
Semi said he was very happy to meet his friend Feroz.
“We have always been good friends, more like brothers, it’s just we lost all contact, it was just very emotional seeing him after many years, I’m glad he didn’t forget about our good old friendship.
“It’s the best Christmas gift, a brotherly visit, stay blessed brother.”
Sahib said the friendship he forged through football is after all alive and he’s living it.
“Football certainly brings people together. We will make it a yearly get together.