Rewa Football’s talented young midfielder, Delon Shankar, has been suspended for one match and fined $300 by the Fiji Football Association’s disciplinary committee following his conduct during the Secondary School’s Inter District Championship (IDC). Consequently, Shankar will miss the opening match against Nadroga, set to take place tomorrow in Ba.
At the age of 18, Shankar previously led Vunimono High School as captain during the IDC in August. His actions, both on and off the field, garnered public attention, prompting a referral to the Fiji FA’s disciplinary body for assessment. This hearing occurred just ahead of the IDC, after Shankar’s return from Australia where he participated in trials with the renowned A-League club, Sydney FC, in September.
In addition to Shankar’s absence, Rewa FC will be without two seasoned players, Madhwan Goundar and Iosefo Verevou, for this pivotal match. Goundar is recovering from an injury sustained during the Police IDC last month, while Verevou joined the team late and did not fulfill the established fitness criteria.
The IDC tournament kicks off tomorrow at Govind Park in Ba, and fans are encouraged to catch the live commentary on Radio Fiji Two.
This incident underscores the significant hurdles young athletes encounter while striving to balance discipline with their rising careers in sports. Shankar’s situation serves as a reminder of the importance of personal accountability and suggests that there is potential for growth even in the face of immediate challenges. As the IDC continues, there is optimism that both Shankar and Rewa FC will take valuable lessons from their experiences and move towards improvement in the future.