DEFENDER Antonio Tuivuna has dedicated his under-20 World Cup soccer outing to his ever supporting parents.
The Navala lad from Ba said his parents had worked hard to help him reach the pinnacle of his career despite their struggle to put food on the table.
Tuivuna said he would use the World Cup to secure overseas contract and to help his parents raise their standard of living.
“My parents are not fulltime employed and earn their income from small scale cassava, vegetable and sugar cane farms,” he said.
“So being the only boy in the family my aim is to give my best for Fiji at the World Cup and secure overseas contracts for the betterment of my family’s welfare.
“I never completed my studies but I am grateful to have supportive parents who always encourage me to fully utilise my soccer talent.
“Their support has enabled me to reach this far and I am dedicating this World Cup outing to them.”
The Nadi soccer rep said he was honoured to become a member of the first Fiji team to feature at any soccer World Cup.
And he was privileged to be named in the starting line-up play against Germany in their opening pool game on Monday.
“I never imagined playing at the World Cup and playing against Germany was special,” said Tuivuna.
“It was a perfect experience any player could have dream of and I am happy with my performance.”
The former Drasa Secondary School student said he would do his best in the remaining games to make his parents proud.
Tuivuna was a member of his school team that won the Fiji Secondary School IDC U19 title in 2013.
