BORN and raised in soccer crazy Ba all his life, with a father who was heavily involved in football, the exposure to the sport came very very early for Alvin Singh.
The 28-year-old national footballer was introduced to the sport through his dad Arvind Singh’s involvement in the main Ba team, being manager of the district club for about 20 years.
Singh remembers tagging along with his dad to most training runs, league games and tournaments with the then-players whom he now acknowledges for the inspiration to one day play for Ba and for country.
He was five years old then.
At times, he would be the water boy and then he would be kicking the ball around with the big boys.
Unlike many kids his age, Singh knew then he wanted to play soccer professionally and be good at it, and also have his name etched in the memories of soccer fans in years to come.
The lanky striker-turned-defender, who has represented Ba and Fiji in football on a number of occasions, started his football journey when he began representing the Ba team at U10, U12, U14, U15, U17, U19, and the U20.
In 2006, he made his debut in the main Ba team — the same year Ba made a clean sweep of all the tournaments that year — league, Fiji FACT, Battle of the Giants (BOG), IDC and the CVC tournaments.
He did not play in the IDC tournament that year, because he had to represent Xavier College in the secondary schools IDC competition.
For him, the realisation when he played alongside some of the big names in soccer such as Keni Doidoi, Malakai Kenahewe and Kini Viliame Naika, was more of a pure motivation in his quest to become a professional footballer.
“Playing with them, I got to learn from them because they have been my idol ever since I started knowing about soccer. It was a really good start for me in the Ba team,” Singh told this newspaper in an interview at the Namosau football academy camp in Ba.
Singh certainly made his family, his parents in particular, proud when he was named in the main Ba team.
“But my parents wanted me to focus on my education. But for me then, soccer was more than education and my focus was more on soccer than on my school work. And my mum and dad weren’t really happy with that.”
Today, Singh said he had achieved a lot since setting his goal for self-development in football.
His major football highlight was playing for Hekari football club at the FIFA World Cup in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“That’s my highest (achievement) — playing at a FIFA-sanctioned tournament. So far, my journey has been really good. Now that I am 28, I am still looking to achieve more, particularly this year to make it to the Olympics squad.”
The soft-spoken lad attributed his success to his parents, whom he said had always been his biggest inspiration.
“Like I said I have been with my dad and I always see him motivating the players. I remember he has this saying that no matter what happens, as long as you do your best, you will be satisfied. I haven’t forgotten that, I always have it in my head and that’s how I’m where I am right now — thanks to my mum and dad.
“When I was young, my mum (Sanita Loloma) always took me to church and we had a lot of good verses from the Bible and one that I always come across is Philippians 4:13 and up until now, that is still helping me to do my best and not let anything pull me back.”
The elder of two brothers is now in Rio as part of the 17-member squad, anticipating their first match against Korea on August 4.
“It’s going to be a tough task but we believe in ourselves.
“They (Korea, Mexico and Germany players) have two feet, we have two feet, they have two hands and we have two hands.
“And as long as we as a team believe in ourselves, we can challenge them, and give them a hard time. I do believe in the team, each and every one of us.
“As long as we give it our best and try and go there and make our name for ourselves. And we must let these teams know that we are a small nation and yes, we can play soccer at the highest level. We want to go there and stamp our mark and let them know we mean business.”
Singh is now looking forward to their games saying: “I never dreamt of it but I am really excited and nervous at the same time, but I am more excited to be representing Fiji at the Olympics.”
