FOR Salesia Ledua Daukana, watching her son take the field for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua was an emotional moment.
A single mother from Baravi, Nadroga, she has raised Inia Tabuavou alone since his father passed away in 2013 when he was just in year 6.
Now 22, Tabuavou wears the number 12 jersey for the Drua.
Daukana and her family traveled to cheer him on against the Chiefs yesterday at Churchill Park in Lautoka, knowing how much support the team needs.
“We came as a family to support him and the team because they need encouragement,” she said.
“They’ve lost three matches, but we want to remind them that nothing is impossible, they can turn things around.”
Daukana has been her son’s rock, guiding him through every challenge.
“I always tell him to trust in the Lord. Even this morning( yesterday), I reminded him to believe and draw strength from his faith,” she said.
Tabuavou’s journey began with the Fiji under-16 team’s tour to the Gold Coast, leading to a scholarship in New Zealand.
He attended Rotorua Boys’ High School and later Westlake Boys’ High School before joining the Racing 92 Academy in France’s Top 14.
Now playing for the Drua, he carries his mother’s sacrifices with him.
“No matter the results, we will always stand by them. We believe in them,” Daukana said.
For her, every match is proof that love, faith and perseverance can take you anywhere.
