FIJI – A Fijian mother who used to sacrifice food so her husband could pay for the bus fare to watch their son play rugby at the weekend is coming to terms that her boy will be playing in the Olympic Games rugby sevens in Rio next month.

Seruwaia Vualiku said she had an anxiety attack on Saturday night when Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced the Fiji men’s and women’s sevens squads to Rio at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

Her son Seremaia ‘Jerry’ Tuwai – a backline utility – was among the final squad who had been training for selection for several weeks.

“During the announcement, when we were standing there and everyone else’s names were called out by the Prime Minister, I asked my husband, ‘What is happening? Why is our son’s name not being called out?’

“He pulled my hand down and whispered, ‘Shhh – have faith woman.’ He counted the players so far selected, looked at me and smiled.

“When Jerry’s name was announced, I squeezed his hand a hugged him. I was emotional and at the same time, I wanted to jump for joy and yell at the top of my voice, but I offered a silent one line prayer saying thank you Lord.”

Vualiku said she lay awake throughout that night finding it difficult to sleep because she was so excited over the fact that her son is to play in the Olympic Games, the biggest stage for world sports.

As sleep would not come, she said she used the opportunity to offer prayers to the Almighty.

“I believe it was God’s calling for him to play in the Olympics. We are not rich and we do not have everything, but our faith never fails us.

“We have faith in God and we knew that if we live according to His rules, Seremaia will be selected. We sacrificed all the time and kept our faith.”

The family are Seventh-day Adventists.

Tuwai – known as Jerry – is 27. He is the eldest of five children, three sons and two daughters.

His mother said the family had to sacrifice a lot so that Tuwai could achieve his rugby dream.

This included diverting money for bills and food to buy his rugby boots and needs, and for his father to accompany him to rugby matches.

“We thought Jerry would be a teacher or doctor, but he said he wanted to be a church pastor. We never pushed him, but when we saw his potential and talents since primary school rugby days, we knew he was special.”

“I used to be the only one working in the family, so whenever he used to play rugby in Vanua Levu, I pay my husband’s fare to accompany him. We used to sacrifice buying sugar or flour for two weeks so I could save up some money.”

Tuwai made his debut for Fiji in the 2014 Gold Coast Sevens in Australia when he was a replacement player.

“Ben Ryan found the talent in him and it took him six years for his talent to be recognised. The coaches changed and he used to be dropped because of his height. When Ryan came to Fiji, in my heart I knew something would happen.

“Training at the sand dunes is always hard and I thank Jerry for being so strong and making it in the squad. We prayed to thank the Lord because without Him, we would not be like this.

“We kept our faith, belief and there was someone there who helped us. Seremaia is God’s blessing to me. His talents are God-given and to Him be the glory.”

Proudly wesaring a Fiji 7s jersey given by her son, Vualiku savoured every moment with his son and children on Sunday, knowing that when he returns to the squad’s camp at the Uprising Beach Resort for more training, they would not meet again until the day before he flies to Brazil for the Olympics.

The announcement on Saturday night saw the 13-member squad as the only side in the world to be named by a prime minister, said national coach Ben Ryan.

He said the ocassion helped boost the morale of players to know the whole country led by the prime minister supported them in their gold medal campaign.

Ryan said he stayed up past midnight on Friday interviewing the players for the final selection.

“There was no celebration of shouting when they were named. There were big smiles because they know the task they have.

“I told them this is the start of their journey,” Ryan said. “Let’s face it, this is the hardest team in the world to get into.

“For those who did not make the team, they shook my hand and thanked me,” he said.

The national women’s team was also announced and will be captained by Ana Roqica.

- Fiji Times/PNC