Ronald Chaudhary: living story of Fijian football

Ronald Chaudhary, who currently lives in Canada, is a legend of Fijian football; in his days as a footballer he won the Melanesian Cup with Fiji National Team for three times and played for various teams in his home country – one of his highlights with teams is the 1990’s Inter-District Championship’s title with Nasinu.

He usually shares his stories and views on Fijian football in his reports in the social media; Oceania Football Center interviewed the legend to learn from his experiences what Fijian football must do to find the path for development.

How do you see the football in your days in comparison to the current moment? Do you see any improvement, Fiji has produced better players today, or in the past it was better?

Well, I moved out 2000 from Fiji at age 32. Our time with very little financial support we used to play with pride and passion and gave everything without complaining. Currently these players have a lot of advantages – from video clips to training facilities to gym and training equipments, but the standard has not raised yet. Fiji is finding difficult in defeating Papua New Guinea, Samoa… All the matches are televised and players have more opportunities to get exposure to display talent unlike our time when newspapers and radio commentaries where the only means. With proper guidance, right path, Fiji can improve. Note now players are full time getting paid just to play, some getting cars, sponsors pouring out from overseas for districts. Money has become the priority now, standard is secondary.

How do you see the entrance of foreigners in Fijian leagues?

I give you an example: English Premier League, where mostly foreign players play to make it more attractive and improve the standard, but when as a country England comes to play World Cup, they struggle – that is just an example. New Zealand once found it very difficult to beat Fiji. Fiji used to beat New Zealand, but New Zealand has participated in a World Cup and came out undefeated. So, there is something really wrong in Fiji, that has not taken up. It could be related to lots of things like structure, path and discipline. Foreign players will only give play and take some local players opportunities hence – this will delay and slow down the process of recognition of local talent. You tell me you have 20 local players, now you allow 3 or 4 foreign players for what? Just to win domestic title? You have to drop 3or 4 local boys – where does these boys go? First you make them lose their self esteem, confidence and than interest. We didn’t have foreign players in our time, but still the Fiji National Team beat Australia 1-0, beat New Zealand, beat Solomon Islands with nine players…

So, for you, you would not allow any foreigners in Fijian league?

Like I said, currently if the standard is not taking off the ground than something is wrong. No, I do not think it would help the country, because these foreign players will be one step above the local and when they leave, there would be a vacuum left. Whose going to fill that, the local boys, hence those who did not get chance now will come only after 2 or 3 years.

Lautoka and Ba had terrible defeats at OFC Champions League, Lautoka conceded seven to Papua New Guinea’s Lae and Ba lost to Samoan side Lupe o le Soaga. What do you think about their performance?

I did not follow their preparations and campaign, but I think it was disappointing. Samoa used to get hiding from Fiji – guess other countries are doing something different and have improved and bypassed Fiji – it looks like and Fiji needs to wake up. People have been crying development from grassroots but it seems it reaches up to 15, once players enters districts, things starts falling apart.

Do you have any expecations on the new head coach of Fiji National Team, the Danish Flemming Serritslev?

Honestly, I am just giving him a chance and support – I think one man can not make miracles – he needs good support – which is yet to be seen.

This would be your same thoughts on Roy Krishna? How good is he? How important he is for Fijian football?

Roy came out of OFC youth playoff – he made his mark and reached the highest level which local dedicated players dream of. He has proven that Fiji has the talent to play that level. A great role model, a great finisher, discipline, determination and dedication has taken him where he is enjoying playing professional football. He could be a big help to FFA to assist with the exposure he gained. His knowledge and wisdom should be utilized for sure and I think he will not hesitate at all. On top more players needs to play overseas and not foreign players coming to play in Fiji and schooling the local instead. Our local boys need to go overseas for trials and get more exposure playing for some good clubs; when they return to play for country that will surely help. Look at Brazil, almost over 500 players play overseas at the same period.

Fiji, today, can not develop players only in the country?

Correct, they can attach elite players to overseas clubs from age 12; These 12-year-old will learn more easily and established themselves well in four years.

Why did you decide to move to Canada? Do not you think at that time you could give much to Fiji Football?

I had family commitments, needed to financially support my family.

Do you have any plans to help the development of Fiji football now a days?

I wish I could, but family comes first. If financially stable, than maybe in future for sure. I would love to help.

How do you see the development of Oceanian football in overall today?

Honestly I have not been following – only when someone mentions that big game coming up. But I think New Zealand has moved up well and going in right direction. When Australia was in OFC and Fiji’s biggest task was to beat them and to qualify for Oceania World Cup playoffs now it is New Zealand the team to be beaten.

Can you see Fiji improving and make it hard for New Zealand in the next years?

Well, with the new coach – but, due to Covid 19 everything is delayed – so we just have to wait and see the plans. What the newly appointed coach what he has to deliver? What direction he takes?

Can you see a young good generation of players coming from Fiji?

Yes for sure there are so many young talents just needs proper guidance.

What do you think about FFA at the moment? Are they doing a good job?

I think they are, can not say much due to lock down. There is always room for improvement – only thing we can do is giving our support as we are living in overseas and we have to take care of so many things here that we do not have much time to see local football and what is happening, what not – but our support is always there – we opened a Vancouver Fiji FC Academy Foundation – I am volunteer to help the youths for free and with FFA helps I was able to have 5 matches organized.

To finish the interview, I would only ask if you have any message to Fijian football fans and community.

The message is very simple: always stay positive, we all love football the ‘beautiful game’ – without fans there is no football, they cheer, their love and support hence it all plays a big part in players career that looks forward to display their talent. Speaking for myself, I have made so many friends from playing football. It just amazing, how they still cherish moments and showing love. Great feeling. Thanks you so much. We should support the FFA by raising positive ideas. Things will only change when we follow the right path and direction.

Oceania Football Center thanks Mr. Chaudhay for his time and his valuable words for football community in Fiji and whole Oceania.