A proud father who once dreamt of playing football for Fiji but never got the opportunity says that dream is now being fulfilled through his 16-year-old son, Somit Maharaj, who has been selected for the Junior Bula Boys at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship.
Somit and fellow New Zealand-based player Ryan Swami have been selected for the national side and have since linked up with the team in Ba.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Somit’s father, Ashneet Maharaj, says seeing his son earn the opportunity to wear the Fiji jersey is one of the happiest and proudest moments of his life.
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Ashneet says Somit was born in Fiji and moved to New Zealand when he was one year old, but has always maintained a strong connection with his country of birth.
He says the family returns to Fiji two or three times a year, with Somit and his younger brother often asking to visit during their school holidays.
The family has strong ties to Bayview Heights in Suva, while Somit is also familiar with Ba and Lautoka.
Ashneet says he introduced Somit to football because of his own love for the sport and simply wanted someone to kick a ball around with at home and at the park.
That father-son time eventually developed into a serious football journey, with Somit taking up the sport at around eight years old and playing club football in New Zealand.
Ashneet says the journey has required significant time and commitment, with the family travelling around Auckland for matches during New Zealand’s cold and rainy winter season.
He says Somit trains with his club three to four times a week, does extra work at home and has sacrificed time with friends to balance football and schoolwork.
Ashneet says much of the effort behind his son’s performances is not seen on match day, as Somit carefully manages his sleep, diet, exercise and recovery throughout the week.
He says he realised early that Somit had something special because of his drive, skill and determination, as well as his willingness to listen and learn from coaches.
However, Ashneet says the family has always stressed that football and education must go hand in hand, as an athlete has a short window at the highest level and one serious injury can change everything.
He says he and his wife were extremely excited when they learned of Somit’s selection, which has also brought great pride to their extended family.
Ashneet says Somit has made it clear that he wants to do the Fiji jersey proud and believes his selection can inspire young children in Bayview Heights by showing them that someone from their own neighbourhood can work hard and represent the country.
He has also thanked the coaches who helped Somit along the way, particularly volunteer coaches in New Zealand who invested their time in his development from a young age.
Ashneet says he remains on cloud nine knowing that the dream he once had of representing Fiji will now live through his son.
Somit and Swami are now training and living alongside their Junior Bula Boys teammates in Ba as preparations continue for the regional tournament in Papua New Guinea.
The OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 will be held from this Sunday to the 25th of July.
Fiji have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Papua New Guinea, 2025 runners-up New Caledonia and Samoa.
Defending champions New Zealand are in Group B with the Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu.
The winner and runner-up will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2027.
