WHEN Setareki and Salome Tisolo learnt that two of their four children were average achievers academically, they motivated them to make use of their God-given talents.
And yesterday, it was one that saw the whole settlement of Vunikoro on the outskirts of Suva city holding a traditional thanksgiving ceremony to two children who have not only hoisted the national colours in their games, but also that of the people of Vunikoro and Naqarani, Noco in the province of Rewa.
The Tisolos are parents to national reps Serupepeli Vularika who made his debut in the Pacific Nation’s Cup which Fiji had just won recently and Luisa Tisolo, a Fijiana hopeful to the Olympic Games in Rio.
Speaking to Times Sport yesterday, Salome said her only daughter always loved athletics at a young age and was an athlete in primary school but her elder brother Vularika was one that loved the oval ball since he started playing the game at a very young age.
“What we have prepared today is just from the family to thank them both for their achievement so far,” Salome said.
“We knew that they weren’t as good as some of their colleagues academically, so we continued to motivate them to do what they feel would take them far.
“Seru loved rugby and as time went on, Luisa showed her love for the same sport and for us as parents, we were both happy yet very emotional when they both made the national team,” she added.
She said Luisa made the first break into the national team and this motivated her brother to continue trying.
“When we knew the talent that Seru had, we tried to get him into the Lelean academy but Luisa did her own thing and got into the Fijiana team.”
For their parents, support was also very important.
“Luisa usually is always away in her games because she travels overseas with the Fijiana, but for Seru, we would never miss any of his games, it was always very important for us to watch him play.”
Today as they continue to thank God for blessing their children with their talents, Salome said they continued to believe that they would be able to live to see their children get contracts to allow them in future when they have their own families.
