THIRTEEN-year-old, Vedant Rakeshkumar Mistry is already making waves in Fiji’s football scene.
The young referee stood out during the recent four day McDonald’s Inter-District Championship (IDC) at the Fiji FA Academy grounds in Ba, confidently controlling matches from the sideline despite his short stature.
Vedant isn’t new to the big stage. He was part of the match official team during the Fiji Secondary School IDC held in Ba last month, and earlier this year, he made his tournament debut at the TIV Sangam Easter tournament.
His dedication and skill earned him the Fiji Cadet Referee award last year, a recognition that fuels his ambitions further.
“I have been registered with Fiji Referee, and I feel good being one of the youngest referees in Fiji,” Vedant said proudly.
A year eight student at St. Teresa’s Catholic Primary School in Ba, Vedant already has a clear vision for his future.
“My aim is to be a FIFA-accredited referee. To achieve that, I need to improve my fitness level, expand my knowledge of football, take care of my health, and maintain a proper diet.”
Vedant is aware of the challenges ahead but remains confident.
“I know I can go far from where I am now. I am just 13 years old and have a long way to go. Being a referee means I must be strong, both physically and mentally.”
With determination, discipline, and a love for the game, Vedant Rakeshkumar Mistry is a young referee to watch a rising talent with a FIFA dream in sight.
