ABSOLUTELY nothing is much better than playing the sport you love representing your motherland, alongside your own stars, at the Olympics.
That’s Joseph Turagabeci’s belief, and a pride he carries deeply in his heart, unmoving a yearning he had realised twice, to play football for his motherland.
His first achievement was donning the number 9 jersey for the Fiji U17 football team in the qualifier in New Zealand.
Now his second, but this time around the most special — playing football in soccer-crazy Brazil — a country he had dreamt of visiting one day for a holiday; running alongside his star and former teammate Roy Krishna; and flying his family and country’s name on the football pitch.
Turagabeci, a staunch Christian with a poised display of confidence and self-belief, and whom Fiji football coach Frank Farina said God had smiled upon him when he was recalled into the national squad to Brazil.
The 21-year-old Waitakere City midfielder was dropped off the final 18 when it was announced last week, but called two days later at his Auckland home to return to replace two main defenders who were suspended for breaking camp less than 24 hours after their names were announced.
In an interview at the football camp in Namosau, Ba, a few days before the naming, Turagabeci told this newspaper that should he be chosen, it would be the icing on the cake of his football career and his family’s achievement.
And he said then that if it was God’s will, it was God’s will.
After his recall, Turagabeci said it was all in God’s plan.
“I always believe in God’s plan, whatever he has for me. When I got dropped, I was sad but I took the Bible and I prayed and I thanked him for giving me the opportunity to be part of the training camp for the first team in history going to Rio (Olympics). I just praised him and thanked him for giving me the chance to play football in Fiji,” he said.
“After receiving the call on Saturday night, I had another prayer and thanked God. And I kept believing and it is all in God’s plan.”
Turagabeci moved with his family to New Zealand 16 years ago and first played football at college when he was 15 years old, and made his debut for the Waitakere City football club at 18 during his final year.
Until last year, he stopped playing for his club after the season to focus on this opportunity to contest for a spot to Rio.
“I was privileged enough to be accepted by Frank Farina and from there, I’m just taking this opportunity step by step. I turned down a lot of contracts. I gave up contracts from three top clubs in NZ.
“I had given up finishing off my personal training certificate, which is a scholarship I got for Fitness College in NZ. So giving up that, I have given up a lot of sponsorships.
“Most people think money is everything but I turned down money for a dream that is to play for my national country and play in the Olympics once in a lifetime.”
And his commitment to play for Fiji is unarguable.
His first time, he chose Fiji over lucrative New Zealand contracts to play for his country of birth, even giving up a chance to be in the training camp for the national U17 team.
“I picked Fiji because everyone here has passion. There are a lot of football fans in Fiji, more than New Zealand I can tell you by now, there is so much passion. Fans come out and support teams.
“They have so much pride.
“The thing I love about here is every morning and every night we have the lotu (devotion). And everyone is humble. And that is the reason I picked Fiji, just pride. No matter how much they offer, I’ll just play for what’s on the badge.”
Turagabeci clearly recalls the first time he played football in the country after signing up with Suva football.
“God works in many different ways. I made my debut for U17 and wore the number 9 jersey and I was privileged to play at home in New Zealand in front of my family.
“I had a bucket list to come to Fiji and at least play for one district team.
“My first tournament was Fiji FACT and I was privileged enough to wear that number 9 jersey.
“It was a coincident because I wore number 9 making my debut for Fiji U17 and I wore number 9 for Suva. But here is the catch, I made my debut in Labasa and that is where my dad played in Labasa for his district team.
“It was just amazing.
“I had a moment just thinking to myself — wow, God you are so amazing.
“Imagine going to Brazil and playing football there. I’ve never dreamt to play there, just to holiday there and I was thinking imagine if God does this to me.
“All my life I have always prayed that one day I will go to Brazil or even one day pick up a professional contract.”
All these, he said were all borne out of realising his little blessings, and reminding himself of how privileged life had turned out for him.
An entrepreneur in the making, eyes focused on personal training and branding his own clothes, with a philanthropically-motivated ambition to contribute back to sports development in Fiji, Turagabeci is now focused on Rio with people working behind the scenes to also make that dream a reality.
And now returning to camp as the only qualified replacement after the dual suspension, an excited Turagabeci said this was another motivation and another level to do his best again and try and get that start in the squad.
“I have the ability. If I get dropped or whatever, it pushes me to do more, to give more and commit more. There is no difference if I got dropped, I always make sure I give my 110 per cent.
“You only live once and you got to make use of your life, and I thank the coaches for having faith in me.”
