The smiling face of Jeremiah Singh, now selected by Athletics Fiji to the 44th World Cross Country Championship in Bathurst, NSW, does not reveal the pain, suffering and discrimination he once suffered when he was left at the Suva Bus Stand by his parents at a very young age of six to fight through life.
Jeremiah said: “I cannot deny that once I was a street kid, sleeping at Sukuna Park and scavenging for food. But I am very grateful that our beautiful nation has some loving, kind hearted people. Aunty Mere from Tovata Village kept me for five years, before Sohan Singh, a government worker from Nasinu took me to his home in 2010 and helped me get educated at AOG High School from vocational agriculture, Year 9 to Year 11 until 2014.”
During this time, he started going to church.
Jeremiah, who was known as “Savenaca” at Tovata Villlage, was baptised as Jeremiah Shavneel Sandeep Singh in 2013.
In 2014, after Year 11, Jeremiah moved in with Pastor Andrew Chandra in Kinoya.
After high school, Jeremiah worked at Autoforce, Tacirua Transport and other companies and learned automotive repair skills.
“I always wanted to take part in sports and my late church pastor used to pray for it. I ran my first 10,000 kilometre barefoot while in high school during a triathlon competition in Nasese. One of the church members saw me and bought me a pair of shoes. This inspired me to continue the new journey in life I started.”
Autoforce and Tacirua Transport sponsored Jeremiah to enable him to take part in various running events.
Being very new to distance training and running, he did not fully understand the support system in place.
He is thankful to the Suva Marathon Club which supported him along the way while he was still trying to sort out his life.
In June 2022, Noel Singh, one of the Striders Club coaches saw Jeremiah’s genuine interest and started working with him.
Three long-term plans around being a good person, developing a career and being the best runner that he could be were laid down to Jeremiah.
“For the first time in my life, I realised the importance of keeping a training diary. I had to write how I was achieving the three things. I had to say a good thing every day and put a smile on a sad face,” says Jeremiah.
He was fortunate when begotten sister Helen and brother-in-law Tony Prasad invited Jeremiah to move in with them in July 2022.
As part of his development plan, Jeremiah joined the Fiji National University in July 2022, doing automotive electronics.
He is very obliged and thankful to his ‘god-sister’ Dr Devina Nand (head of wellness at the Ministry of Health) for meeting his study, daily training and living expenses.
Jeremiah didn’t let Devina down as he scored excellent academic results and graduated in December 2022.
“My first two priorities balanced me as a person and then only my training started getting serious in October 2022.
“My selection to the WCCC started when a group of about 26 runners from the secondary schools and fun runners took part in the Suva Marathon race. After the race, we were all briefed about how Athletics Fiji was trying to revive the competitive middle and long-distance running that we used to have.
“I never looked back since. I attended all the group training and competitions.
“Our team leader to the WCCC, Robin Dayal said ‘if you wanna be in, get out of your comfort zone and perform’.”
Through the support of the Striders Club, he is now training in Brisbane and getting ready for the biggest running career of his life.
This is just a stepping stone for his aim to represent Fiji at the 2023 Pacific Games.
“I am lucky to be given all these opportunities but it all comes with the changes in life and a positive attitude. I would encourage all athletes that may not have succeeded to keep trying, and ignore the negativities that are around you and work hard towards your goal.”
Jeremiah will be joined by eight other athletes in Team Fiji for the WCCC this week.
