NATIONAL football coach Frank Farina says the Rio Olympics is an event that the players would not want to miss.
Addressing the Vodafone Fiji under-23 squad at their farewell lunch in Ba ahead of the Brazil buildup tour, Farina said this was an opportunity of a lifetime.
“What better place than be going to the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil,” he said.
“It is a time and event that players don’t want to miss. If you ask any player from the past if they would love to go to the Olympics, I’m sure they would cut their right arm off to get to the Olympic Games.
“To get things, sacrifices have to be made. To have this opportunity to go to Rio is a memory of a lifetime. We are grateful to Vodafone which is the leading brand in the market for being behind us.”
The Fiji U23 team will play twice against Atletico Paranaense which qualified for Copa Libertadores last year.
The other matches will be against Figueirense Futebol Clube and Clube Parana.
Vodafone Fiji sponsorship manager Adriu Vakarau said the company was proud to be the brand behind the team supporting them to perform at the highest level of football.
He said they were committed to take the sport to greater heights and inspire existing young talents to become future professional players.
“This tour is crucial to prepare the team for the Rio Olympics,” Vakarau said.
“This is a great opportunity for the team to get much needed international exposure.”
The team will leave for Curitiba on Monday via Los Angeles.
Touring Party:
Shaneel Naidu, Misiwani Nairube, Praneel Naidu, Samuela Nabenia, Manasa Nawakula, Antonio Tuivuna, Ratu Tevita Waranivalu, Ratu Savenaca Nakalevu, Iosefo Verevou, Samuela Kautoga, Osea Turagabeci, Christopher Frances Wasasala, Saula Matayalo Waqa, Garish Henry Prasad, Alvin Singh, Napolioni Qasevakatini, Anish Kumar Khem, Simione Tamanisau, Rusiate Matarerega, Nickel Nishal Chand, Jale Dreloa, Filipe Baravilala, Setareki Waqanitoga Hughes, Tarunesh Reddy (Team Director), Frank Farina (Coach), Yogendra Dutt (Assistant Coach), Varoon Karan (Physio), Kapil Krishnam Swamy (Doctor), Avikash Chand (Media Officer).
