Shayal Challenges Young Girls To Pursue Their Dreams

To pursue a dream as a profession footballer may have missed her, but school teacher and Team Fiji Womens Football representative Shayal Sindhika hopes to inspire other young female athletes to follow their dream.

The Vunivau, Labasa, Vanua Levu native said she fell in love with the sport since joining her brother and other male relatives.

"Growing up, there was not many options as all the girls in my area did not take part in sports.

"So I would join my brother and other relatives in playing football," she said.

The 30-year-old Tabia Primary school teacher first represented Fiji in 2022, which came as a surprise to her.

"I first got chosen to represent the country during the 2022 Pacific Women's Four Nations Tournament under coach Lisa Coles.

"It was surprising since I actually though I was too old to be a part of the team," she said.

"But I'm glad that the opportunity came by to represent my country and be an inspiration to young female athletes wanting to take up football as a sport."

Shayal said a dream of hers was to play professional football but she thought this could not happen to someone, especially a Labasa girl who started playing late.

"Before joining Nadroga Womens Football team, I played football for fun and just to pass the time.

"But since then I realised that there were many opportunities available through football," Shayal said.

Shayal encourages young female athletes hoping to make it big in their chosen sport to follow their dreams but also put their faith first.

"It is hard trying to be a professional sportsperson, so having our faith to fall back on is a huge bonus and one that can carry us through difficult times," she said.

Shayal will be playing in her first Pacific Games and is looking forward to the challenge.

"I've grateful to the coaching staff for having faith in me to do the job and hopefully we can come back with a medal after the Pacific Games," she said.

The Pacific Games women's football  tournament has been won by Papua New Guinea since it began at the Pacific Games in 2003.

Team Fiji Womens Football won a bronze medal at the last Pacific Games in 2019 in Apia, Samoa.

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