Footballer, Shayal Sindhika says her father always encouraged her to play soccer although there were some who told her that she cannot play with boys.
Sindhika who is from Vunivau, Labasa is part of the Digicel Fiji Women’s soccer team that is competing in the OFC Women’s Nations Cup in Suva.
The 29-year-old started playing soccer at the tender age of 16 when she moved with her family to Sigatoka.
Prior to this, Sindhika used to play soccer with her brothers in Vunivau.
Sindhika says at times, her mother would stop her from playing with the boys however she spoke out and her brothers used to support her.
She says she was the only female playing with her cousins and brother, Sumeet Krishnan in a small ground near her home in Vunivau.
She has represented the Nadroga and Nadi women's teams before playing for Labasa.
Fiji will take on Solomon Islands in their first match at the HFC Bank Stadium at 7 tonight.
