Despite being criticized and banned from playing rugby for six years, former Naitasiri U20 player Keresi Maya has managed to beat the odds and secure a spot in the Vodafone Fiji Bati squad for the Pacific Bowl Championship.
Maya told Fijivillage News that he suffered a lot and was pushed to the brink of suicide, but he is thankful that his family stood by him during those challenging days.
The man from Bouma Village says that the support from his family motivated him while he worked on his farm in Taveuni.
He says that with little hope of playing again, he joined the Fiji Rugby Union Referee Association and managed to participate as a touch judge during the Marist 7s last year.
He adds that the turning point came after the Marist 7s, where he convinced his parents to let him join the Navy Albatross Rugby League side, and was later selected by the head coach after a local competition.
Maya hopes he will be given a chance to showcase his talent and play alongside senior players like Tui Kamikamica, Viliame Kikau, Maika Sivo, and Sunia Turuva.
The Bati will host the PNG Kumuls at 8.10pm this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium.
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