Kiribati’s historic triumph at the 2026 FMF Inter-District Championship (IDC) was accompanied by a clean sweep of the Premier Division’s three major individual awards, with Nabetari Itiata, Bauro Martin Jr and Toom Kiteon receiving recognition for their outstanding performances throughout the tournament in Suva.
Nabetari Itiata received the Golden Ball as the competition’s Best Player, having played a decisive role in Kiribati’s remarkable campaign. The attacking player scored four goals during the tournament, including twice in the 6-1 victory over Seaqaqa in Sunday’s final. His second goal restored Kiribati’s lead early in the second half, setting the stage for the emphatic victory that secured the country’s first IDC title.
The Golden Boot went to 19-year-old Bauro Martin Jr, who finished as the Premier Division’s leading scorer with six goals in four matches. The youngster from Butaritari, who plays for Tekinati FC in Kiribati, announced himself with a hat-trick against Nadroga before adding another goal in the semi-final victory over Fiji U17. He also found the net in the championship decider, completing an impressive individual campaign on his first appearance at the IDC.
Meanwhile, Toom Kiteon received the Golden Glove as the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper, completing Kiribati’s dominance of the individual honours. The goalkeeper featured throughout the team’s campaign, keeping a clean sheet in the 6-0 victory over Nadroga and contributing to the victories against Fiji U17 and Seaqaqa that ultimately delivered the championship.
Kiribati finished their debut IDC campaign with three consecutive victories after losing their opening match, scoring 17 goals across four fixtures. Their success was particularly significant for a national team that had spent years with limited opportunities to compete internationally. Alongside the Premier Division trophy, the individual recognition earned by Itiata, Martin Jr and Kiteon provided another memorable achievement for Kiribati football, highlighting the talent emerging from the Pacific island nation.
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