Vula had a hugely successful year in 2012 in which he earned player of the tournament in both the Fiji FACT and IDC competitions on home soil, as well as representing Fiji at the OFC Nations Cup in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The event proved prosperous not only for the young defender but the entire Suva operation with the capital club bagging a number of major awards.
Years of hard work paid off for Suva FA president Mahend Prasad who was recognised for his effort behind the scenes taking home the Administrator of the Year award in the Super Premier category. Suva coach Gurjit Singh was also awarded his second Coach of the Year title, after winning his first in 2009 when in charge at Navua.
A successful domestic season for Suva was rounded out when the side was awarded Team of the Year, for winning the Fiji FACT and IDC in 2012 and for coming runner-up in the National Football League.
Junior Footballer of the Year went to Rusiate Matarerega who was a member of the Central College team that won back-to-back Fiji Secondary Schools Association championships and the IDC secondary school titles in 2011 and 2012.
The 19-year-old is currently training with the national U-20 squad as they prepare for next month’s OFC U-20 Championship.
Lautoka’s Zibraaz Sahib was voted the Popular Player of the Year by football fans, taking the 23-year-old by surprise.
“I did not expect to win this award,” Sahib said.
“It is an honour to be recognised, I will try my best to make sure that Lautoka wins a tournament this year. We had a slow start to the league – but don’t count us out.”
Madhavan Gounder of Tailevu Naitasiri took out the award for Fair Play, Ravinesh Kumar earned the Referee of the Year title, Women’s Footballer of the Year went to Labasa’s Sofi Diyalowai, Shaneel Goundar of Rakiraki scooped Administrator of the Year for the premier division and Indra Singh of FBC won the Media Personnel of the Year prize.
The Fiji FA President’s award went to National Football Academy staff member Ajay Kumar for his services and contribution.
Fiji minister for youth and sports Viliame Naupoto was honoured to be guest speaker at the awards saying they provide the perfect opportunity to reflect on the journey being taken by individuals, teams and districts as part of the football fraternity.
“Tonight we celebrate dedication and hard work, we celebrate perseverance and sacrifice, and we celebrate honesty and respect,” Naupoto said.
“And as we celebrate we must not forget the contribution and achievements of those before us who laid the platform from which we launched our football journey to achieve what we are celebrating today.”
For more on Fiji football go to www.fijifootball.com.fj

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