Adrian Shawn, 10, of Korotogo, Nadroga, was far away from home yesterday but he was never a loner because of a group of newfound soccer friends.

The Class Four student of Latter Day Saints Primary School in Samabula, Suva, could not hide his happiness when his newfound friends presented him with a free pair of Nike soccer boots during the visiting Brigham Young University soccer clinic at Albert Park in Suva yesterday.

“How do you tie this,” Shawn asked 22-year-old Daniel Turnbull of the BYU team.

“Which foot should I put first,” the Nadroga youngster continued.

Shawn was among more than 100 primary school soccer students from around the country that attended the one-day soccer clinic conducted by the visiting BYU soccer team.

“I have always dreamt of owning a soccer boot, but I Thank God that he sent me my boots from Utah in the United States.”

Turnbull, a member of the BYU soccer team that is on a goodwill tour of the country, said Fiji has the potential to become world champions.

“I am third grade player in my country. That shows the amount of people who play soccer back at home,” he said.

“We learn everything from kicking to passing but Fijians are very athletic.

They are very good soccer players but they do not have the technicality to score goals. They are not trained properly,” he added.

Turnbull and his mates brought more than 400 pairs of soccer boots and uniforms for the soccer children of Fiji.

“We played Salt Lake First Division team last week before we came to Fiji. Instead of money, we asked fans to come to the match with a pair of soccer boots for the children of Fiji,” he said.

“We received more than 400 pairs of boots and different soccer uniforms. This is what we do internationally. We go out helping people put smiles on their faces.

“It feels great to make someone smile by helping them. It makes a difference in the world when you help someone. It makes the world a peaceful and better place to live in.

“Sports binds hearts and what better way to help the needy children of Fiji by making them smile when you give them something that they need.

“I do not ask for reward because by helping people I am spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and also making people enjoy living their lives,” the BYU right back said.

His comments were echoed by Shawn as he hurriedly put on this boots before joining other children in the clinic.

“I hope everyone could be like these people. They are kind to us,” he said.

“Daniel taught me how to tie my boots and showed me how to kick the ball correctly.

 “Why can’t our people be like these players from BYU because everyone in Fiji is fighting each other. I want to live in a Fiji where I can play and enjoy my soccer peacefully.”

The BYU team returns home this week after playing the Suva soccer team last night. Suva won the match 3-2.

They lost to the Vodafone-sponsored Ba team in their first match but managed to beat the Fiji Under-20 soccer team, lost to Lautoka 0-2 and also played a match against the Fiji men’s basketball team last night.   

Fijilive

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