BEEN there, done that.
His passion for football and the burning desire to follow his father’s footsteps created his legacy as one of the successful Fijian soccer players and administrators.
Many know Navneeda Goundar as the Nadi Football Association president, but little do they know that this humble gentleman has achieved a lot in sport.
Growing and witnessing his father Permal Goundar weav his soccer magic with the then Indian Fiji team during his childhood days, inspired Naveenda to be like his dad.
He worked his way out through the thick and thin to fulfil his football dream and was grateful to surpass the record set by his role model — his dad.
Today, Navneeda attributes his success to sheer hard work, commitment and sacrifice.
He said football had been in his blood from an early age.
Navneeda started his football career with the League Club in Suva in 1975 before moving to Nadi in 1977 where he later made it into the Nadi team. In 1980 he made his biggest break after being named to represent the national soccer team.
He was a member of the Fiji team from 1979, 1980 and 1991.
After hanging up his boots because of family commitments in 1984, his love for football remained and he opted to join the Nadi Football Association administration team.
He served as the association’s vice-president from 1985 to 1992 before being selected as the president in 2003.
Now at 59 years of age, Goundar has won all the major football titles in the country.
“Soccer has been in my blood all along and I am grateful to have achieved my dream of representing the country,” said Navneeda.
“I trained every day at around 5am and I believed it was through those tough training that contributed to my success.
“In fact my football dream started after witnessing my father during his football heydays. I wanted to be like him.”
Navneeda said he was fortunate to have surpassed his dad’s football record.
“I was not only a player, but a football administrator. I am proud to have won all the major football titles in Fiji as a player and as an administrator.
He said his best soccer moments was when his Nadi team defeated the star-studded Ba team in the final of the inaugural Battle of the Giants tournament
That Nadi team, during those days, had the services of goalkeeper Savenaca Waqa, Prem Chand, Jale Qoro, Hendry Dyer and Emosi Bacadi. Ba had players such as Jone Nakosia, Vimlesh Singh, Farouk Jaineman, Inia Bola and Bale Raniga, to name a few.
“That was the best moment in my soccer career,” said Navneeda.
“Beating Ba in Ba was special and I will always cherish the memories.”
He said his best moment as Nadi president was when the Nadi team defeated Lautoka to win the 1998 IDC.
“It was after 28 years then Nadi managed to win the IDC title and I was proud being a president.
Navneeda said players during his playing days played with district pride.
“Players these days have their own demands and we can’t blame them. Time has changed and we need to also respect the players’ wish.
“In our days we played for pride. Whatever money we won from any tournament was not shared by the players, but used for the running and administration of the team.”
He shared some advice to aspiring football players.
“There is no short cut to success. You work hard towards your dream listen to your coach to become a better player. There is no substitute for hard work,” he said.
