Actor Michael J Fox once said “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”
For Aliza Hussein, that has been the driving force in the career she chooses to follow.
Better known by friends as Ronaldo on the football pitch and at home, she is one of those lucky girls that get their family’s support in choosing a sports career.
The 20-year-old plays for the Ba team in the Fiji Football Association Women’s IDC 2020 in Suva last week. She started playing football when she was young.
Hussein is a student of the Fiji National University, Namaka Campus studying for a Bachelor degree in Tourism, Hospitality and Hotel Management.
“I started playing when I was five years old,” she said.
“I played with my cousins. Before there weren’t any tournaments. When I joined high school in 2013, I took part in the girls under-16 team, and in 2014, I was chosen to be part of the school’s team. Then I played in the U17 nationals, then the U19 trials and here I am joining women’s football.”
Hussein said parents played an important role in an athlete’s life.
“Parents’ support is very important. It doesn’t matter if other family members support you or not, but our parents support is very important and they should always be there for the child, especially girls.”
Hussein’s parents both work. Her brothers are also at school.
“I thank my parents for being very supportive and the Almighty for this gift that He has given me.
“I want to try my best to be there in the best eleven and play that in the FIFA World Cup. If you get opportunities, make use of them. Strive for excellence.”
