Kulas set Paris target
Chua names team, Tuberi to lead
THE Digicel Fiji Kulas have been challenged to “join the Fiji 7s team to the Paris Olympics.”
This was one of the key messages delivered by Fiji Football chief executive Mohammed Yusuf during the official naming of the Fiji Kulas team on Saturday night in Ba.
The 23-member squad mixed with Under-16, 19 and senior players will represent the country in the Women’s Olympic Qualifier next week in Samoa.
Angeline Chua and her group of young and energetic players will depart our shores on Monday with Labasa defender Unaisi Tuberi bestowed the honours of leading the team as captain.
“This team we’ve got about 12 girls from the U19 team last year that will go to Colombia for the World Cup.
There were three girls from the U16 campaign last year, so in total we have 15 young girls and that speaks of the future, we only got eight from the Pacific Games Kulas squad,” Yusuf stated.
“They just need to believe in themselves, nothing is impossible, U16 took New Zealand to the wire last year, we lost in the 95th minute and this is a chance. As Marika Rodu said, we have been playing in the finals and losing to NZ, this one we want to go a step further and join the Fiji 7s teams for the Paris Olympic.
“It will change the lives of these young footballers if they qualify, it will be the greatest achievement ever for this country. I’m very confident in this team especially with these U16 and 19 girls led by Cema Nasau, Luisa Tamanitoakula, Koleta Likuculacula who came back from Australia, Preeya Singh from the US, this is a formidable team, and they can do wonders.”
The team was in camp for four weeks, determined to create history for Fiji in Samoa.
Head coach Chua said now the goal is to finish at the top of their pool and avenge their Pacific Games loss to Papua New Guinea in December 2023.
Fiji is in Pool A with PNG, the Solomon Islands and American Samoa.
They face American Samoa in their first match on Wednesday.
Squad: Adi Anasimeci Volitikoro, Adi Litia Bakaniceva, Angeline Rekha, Asela Cokanasiga, Cema Nasau, Elesi Tabunase, Ema Mereia, Evivi Buka, Filomena Racea, Kasanita Tabua, Koltea Likuculacula, Luisa Tamanitoakula, Mereseini Waqali, Narieta Leba, Pijila Kilaiwaca, Preeya Singh, Selai Tikoisuva, Seruwaia Vasuitoga, Seruwaia Laulaba, Sisilia Kuladina, Sofi Diyalowai, Sonia Alfred and Unaisi Tuberi.