NEW INTERVIEW: Vivekanand "Boy" Reddy interview, by Kieran James and Henry Dyer, 2015.

My interview with Vivekanand “Boy” Reddy, Dratabu Village, Nadi, 2015.

Kieran James: Please tell us about the beginning, how you began your soccer career?

Boy Reddy: I started playing when I was 16. I won the first IDC for Nadi, 1969, after 42 years. I went to Namotomoto Village. I was last-man-down for Nadi (full-back). Those who care for others will be looked after by somebody. In those days, I used to walk/run from here to the town and then to Newtown (Wailoaloa beach, Martintar, Nadi). That time my father was dead. My Mom stopped me from playing, she said “you have to run the farm”. I went to Namotomoto and stayed there for three years. I started eating Fijian food and speaking Fijian. I love that way of life - there is more Fijian in me, only a little bit Indian. When they drink, they drink a lot. When they play, they play a lot. In the village, they called me a Fijian guy [Henry Dyer laughs.]

I’m 72 now (born 1944) - you know why I didn’t migrate? Because I miss my friends here. We plant Fijian food. You can see the tapioca here. I enjoyed my life playing sports. I love to meet people who love sport and the district. I only ever played for Nadi, not for any other district such as Lautoka.

Henry Dyer: Who is still alive from your Nadi team, and who has passed away?

Boy Reddy: The goalkeeper is dead. We were twin full-backs, we are still alive. Here is the team: Anare Sabati (died), Rasul (died), Aiyub Kutti (died), Mani Naicker (died), Habib (died), Joe Lutumailagi, Krishna Reddy, Kollappa (migrated to Canada), Dawai (still alive), from Namotomoto, Yunus (migrated somewhere, I don’t know where, he was a link player).

KJ: Please tell us more about the 1969 IDC.

Boy Reddy: We won the first IDC, 1969, in Labasa. We beat Rewa 3-0, then Ba 1-0, and then Suva 1-0, all without penalty kicks. In the final we beat Suva.

Henry Dyer: Score?

Boy Reddy: 1-0. Mani Naicker was the captain, Joe and I were the vice-captains, we always had this argument [about who was vice-captain]. Joe came here and had his birthday last month, 67th. Inosi was here, Save and Taga.

Henry Dyer: Fuck this gang, they never tell me!

Boy Reddy: Ex-Tanoa, at club level.

Rajesh (nephew of Boy Reddy): I used to admire this Henry Dyer. He was a midfielder.

Sarawan (son): He has to go back at 2pm to Sydney.[Author note: Five years have passed since the interview. Sarawan was referring to another family member present, not Boy or Henry.]

Rajesh: I used to watch Henry's game.

Boy Reddy: He was a terrible player [joking]. He knew his position. No-one had to tell him.

Rajesh: We were born in Ba, but we grew up in Nadi. So, because of family heritage, I always support Nadi.

Henry Dyer: How many districts then competed in the IDC?

Boy Reddy: We used to play in one level. [Author’s note: I think this means that there was no group-stage. The second-division IDC began in 1968, so he doesn’t mean that didn’t exist.]

Henry Dyer: All the teams were in one level. We played knockout in four or five days. If you got knocked out, you go and drink in the bush. In those days, when we played IDC in Nadi, no-one stayed home. Every child and his father was at the ground that time. The 1971 IDC was in Nadi. There was a big crowd, a bumper crowd.

KJ: What years did you play?

Boy Reddy: From 1966-73 as regular Nadi rep. Henry must be 64 now?

KJ: No, he is much younger.

Rajesh: I never saw my uncle play. I was born 1968.

Boy Reddy: He must have been a baby. In those days, I was in hospital for three months with having torn muscle. One man [official] from the team visited me once in that whole time. He never even brought biscuits! I was so sad. I have no time for such officials. There should be money for injured players. This is why I stopped my son from playing. He was at USP and wanted to play for Nasinu. I told him and said “no, it is not your district”.

Boy Reddy: We used to stand in front of the pub and we would be chased away.

KJ: We are banned from Nadi Club.

Boy Reddy: Navneedna never banned me. My friend here, Henry Dyer, man, people are afraid of him, I don’t know why. He is my friend. He is regarded as a dangerous man. They are frightened of this man. James, [you] came from overseas and looked after us.

Henry Dyer: When you were playing, who were the hardest team to play against?

Boy Reddy: Lautoka - they played very organized soccer. They won by five or six goals against teams. They had a lot of nice blokes. They had a class of soccer. Lautoka had players like Augustine Thoman, Vilifafi Lee, Onnie Wong, Hakim Dean, Chandar Bahu Singh, M.S. Chetty,  Mun Reddy, and Arjun Gopal. Most of these players played for Fiji, so Lautoka was a very good team, as was Ba.

KJ: Did you play for Fiji?

Boy Reddy: I played for west part of Fiji. I played against Tottenham Hotspur. We played against a German team too, but I’m not sure who they were. In those days, when we played, we were like a family. We paid all our own expenses except food. We had no money but we were happy.

KJ: Did you get paid money at all?

Boy Reddy: No, nothing, nil. We played for the pride. My statement will be very dangerous for the old officials. It’s good to speak the truth, yes?

KJ: What do you think of Fiji soccer now?

Boy Reddy: It needs coaching from the primary-schools, from the ages of four or five. There is no good in spending money on the older players like we do now. I saw the games on TV [Oceania Champions’ League]. We didn’t have the technical skill nor the accuracy in finishing. They lack a lot of skills and understanding. They do not make game plans. Our country needs a few good coaches to train the young kids. That is my final comment. I still love soccer, but when I see our standard of soccer, it makes me feel very embarrassed. We need some new coaches, not just one or two. Every district needs a new professional coach.

KJ: I saw the teams from Vanuatu and New Caledonia play.

Boy Reddy: They are better than us. How can we develop soccer in Fiji? That is the big question mark.

Henry Dyer: Augustine Thoman, your comment?

Boy Reddy: He never loses possession, he had the accuracy. If he heads or kicks it, it goes into the net. He could kick six or seven goals a game. Lautoka players had the ball control.

KJ: Why has Lautoka gone down recently, compared to those times?

Boy Reddy: Players started roaming here and there and going for money. No-one is playing for district pride now. No-one gives one hundred percent now. All of a sudden something happened [to Lautoka] and it is a mystery to me.

KJ: One thing that happened is that Ba went up.

Boy Reddy: Sashi Mahendra Singh lived for some time in Germany.

Henry Dyer: When he came back he brought German passing to the game. And they had the money.

Boy Reddy: Ba is not a rich town, but Ba is very dedicated and gives one hundred percent and they listen to the coach. Ba is one of the best teams now in Fiji. When I talk I finish my story. If you come back again, I might tell lies [smiles]. Today, I’m very sincere. I’m happy you come and meet me in my compound. It’s a blessing to you, mate, that you come and lift sports up.

Henry Dyer: How many acres you got here?

Boy Reddy: I clear the land. I don’t want to plant too much now. I can talk. There are plenty of acres, but I can only find two or three. [Author’s note: The meaning is unclear here. It could relate to issues about who can plant what where  in the village.]

Henry Dyer: He can do whatever he wants.

Boy Reddy: No, don’t write that. I get on well with the people from my village.

KJ: Tell us about your life in Namotomoto.

Boy Reddy: I still miss that old place. There was an old lady, Tai Eva, Joe Lutumailagi’s mother. I called her my Aunty, she was very caring towards me. May her soul rest in peace. She was a nice lady, just like my mother. I lived in Namotomoto for three years. I ate everything.

Henry Dyer: He ate beef, he ate anything and everything.

Boy Reddy: But not shit and all. We dived for river mussels. When I played, I used to play and mostly live with the Fijian boys. Some people did not used to like me because I stayed with them. Please don’t write too much or these people will not come to my funeral. These boys did it to me, but I forgive them. Don’t say something to hurt people in my dying day.

Boy Reddy: I was a dirty fellow too like him [Henry Dyer]. But write something clean for me; you are a good writer. You can say these two guys [Boy and Henry] played rugged soccer, never say die. Whether 6-0 or 7-0, we will keep on playing until the last minute. We have been through very difficult times, me and this guy Henry. After games, I walked back here in the dark. Kini Tubi, Save [Savenaca Waqa] and Marika would all come here at night to drink. After we finished, these boys picked up very well and played great soccer for Nadi for 9-10 years at the top level. Rusiate, Pacandi, Kaitani - it was a very good team, I was so proud of them. After that, I did not really keep an active interest. People should be spending money in the primary schools [to coach youngsters in soccer]. You can’t teach an old man how to play.

Boy Reddy: I used to get on well with rugby greats from Nadi and Fiji - Voe Savau and Nasivi Ravouvou, these guys were big boys. We used to celebrate together. Both have died. When my former mates come and visit me, I feel young again. When they are gone, I feel old. Joe Lutumailagi, Save [Savenaca Waqa], [Sosi] Kaitani, Savenaca Taga and Inosi Tora came to my birthday a few weeks ago.

Henry Dyer: That’s the history here.

Henry Dyer’s comments about Boy Reddy (after the interview): He said he doesn’t have any acres, but he can plant wherever he wants to plant, it is lying idle. But it is all village-reserved. He does this because he counts himself as one of the villagers from Dratabu Village even though he is an Indo-Fijian. He says: “No, I’m not an Indo-Fijian. I am an iTaukei.” We from our villages in Nakavu and Dratabu we call ourselves the koicalevu, meaning that we have something very close in common in tradition and culture and through blood-ties. This goes back to the tribal war times. I would treat Boy Reddy like a koicalevu. The people in the village would laugh at this. We have people like this in Ba too who live their lives with the Fijian boys, such as the Sami brothers. One thing I know for a fact is that Boy Reddy is a full Fijian, although he has an Indian name. He is a Fijian at heart. He has a strong heart, which keeps him alive until today.

He mixed around with the Fijian boys and was so close to the Fijians in the village. The old ladies then, if they saw an Indian boy, they would treat him as their grandchild. They would tell the village not to mistreat the boy and that he is part of our family. You can see all the village boys from the early days went to his birthday. He said: “I’m Indian, but Fijian at heart, not like the other guys.” He was hanging around with the Fijians because he was into soccer. But even before soccer he was hanging around with the Fijian boys. Soccer cemented the relationships.

*****THE END*****

NEW INTERVIEW: Savenaca Waqa and Seremaia Tale talk with Henry Dyer, 27 August 2015.

Savenaca Waqa (left) and Henry Dyer @ Navakai Housing, Namotomoto Village, Nadi, 27/8/2015.

Interview with Savenaca Waqa and Seremaia Tale (Nadi and Fiji Legends)

27 August 2015 @ Seremaia’s house (Navakai Housing, Namotomoto Village, Nadi)

By Henry Dyer (Nadi Legends Club) and Kieran James (University of Fiji)

Note: Manasa Tamanivalu was also present at the interview

Henry Dyer: When did you start playing soccer?

Savenaca Waqa: 1974, our club was the Tanoa Soccer Club.

Henry: Who do you remember playing with in that year?

SW: Rasool Dean, Joe Lutumailagi, Marika Vuniyawaz, Eliesa Varoi, Samuela Dawai Lutumailagi, Boy Reddy, and Prem Chand.

Seremaia Tale, Henry Dyer, Savenaca Waqa.

Henry: When did you get into the Nadi team?

SW: 1975.

Henry: So most of your club mates were in the Nadi team at that time?

SW: Yes.

Henry: What tournaments did you play for at that time?

SW: Mushanti Lal Trophy, Jim Pratap Trophy, North West Tournament, and IDC.

Henry: Did you win any tournaments then?

SW: We only played in finals against Ba in the IDC. We won the Top Top Tournament but I cannot remember which year. We won the BOG [Battle of the Giants] three years in a row. The first tournament we won was in 1977 in Ba for the Air Pacific Trophy…

Seremaia Tale: Air Pacific Cup.

SW: Air Pacific sponsored the cup and the prize was $15,000. I can’t remember the year. The first BOG was held in Ba in 1978.

Henry: Nadi beat Ba that year [KJ note: Nadi won 1-0].

Henry: What was your best year playing soccer?

SW: In 1975, that was the first time the IDC was held in Labasa [KJ note: It was actually the second time that the IDC was held in Labasa after the first time in 1969.]. I was the youngest, 18-years-old, the others were veterans. We played on Saturday and when there was no light we continued the semi-final on the next day (Sunday). We played 0-0 on the first day and on the second day Ba won.

Henry: You only reached the semi-final in that tournament in that year?

SW: Yes [KJ note: Ba beat Suva 1-0 in the 1975 IDC Final.]

Dr Kieran James (University of Fiji) & Savenaca Waqa.

Henry: What year did you get into the Fiji team?

SW: That same year.

Henry: Who was the other goalkeeper who was accepted into the Fiji team that year?

SW: John Gray and me.

Henry: Nicholas Rounds?

SW: No, I remember at that time it was John Gray, Vula Wate, and me. They were both older players than me.

Kieran James: You beat Australia 1-0 in 1977?

SW: That was at the old Barker’s Park in Suva, I was reserve goalkeeper. Jimmy Okete scored the goal; Vula Wate was the goalkeeper.

KJ: Do you still remember the 1982 IDC Final?

SW: In Nadi? Yes, I remember the penalty-kicks.

Henry: You were supposed to kick the last kick?

SW: Yes, my leg was swollen. I had taken a painkiller from Dr Raniga.

Henry: [Dr] Raymond Fong was there too that year. … So your leg was too painful that you could not kick the ball? What excuse did you give?

SW: The Ba officials complained about the light; I took that as an excuse. They did not know about my leg.

KJ: What did you think when Ba turned up at the replay?

SW: The two sets of officials said they would share the trophy for six months each. The boys were full drunk, half of them were full cut. The Nadi team was in town celebrating after the first (original) final in Nadi.

KJ: What was your reaction to the replay of the final in Lautoka?

SW: It was too late for us then. We went on a drinking spree. We thought we had a win but then later the Ba team walked on to the pitch in Lautoka without us.

KJ: Do you think Nadi should have played the replay?

SW: Yes.

Henry: After Ba had won the IDC how did you feel then?

SW: I felt sorry for the public who had been waiting for the trophy…

Henry: For the soccer public of Nadi.

KJ: Good comment.

Henry: Did you still get on well with the Ba players after that?

SW: We were still friends after the game.

KJ: Did you see any of the Ba players recently?

SW: Yes.

KJ: Did you remember the 1985 game against Newcastle?

[No answer, question perhaps not heard properly.]

Henry: Did you enjoy playing that game? [Fiji 3 d Newcastle United 0 in Nadi, 1985]

SW: Yes.

Henry: In that game how did you rate them?

SW: They are from the top grade, the first division in England. I also played against Tottenham Hotspur in Lautoka. I don’t remember the year.

KJ: What was the score?

SW: We lost 4-0.

Henry Dyer & sister of Savenaca Waqa.

KJ: What was the reason you could beat Newcastle?

Henry: What was the secret of the team that day?

SW: Plenty of the boys were under Rudi Gutendorf at that time including the coach Billy Singh.

Henry: Do you think Rudi’s favourite soccer patterns still continued on?

SW: Yes, and the core of the team was still the same.

KJ: Were you surprised to be able to win?

SW: We beat them 2-0.

Henry: 3-0.

SW: Hoy!

KJ: Do you remember making many saves that day?

SW: Yes.

Henry: How about the skills of the Newcastle team?

SW: Now when I see them on the TV I remember that time when they came to Fiji. It takes my memories back. I am amazed today that we could play at that level. That is the history. Nowadays we are just kick and run.

KJ: Now, looking back, do you think this was the most important match you played in?

Henry: Was that the peak of your career?

SW: I think for the Newcastle game we were under the influence of a professional coach in Rudi.

Savenaca & Manasa Tamanivalu.

KJ: When the soccer historian Bill Murray heard about this score from me earlier this year he said that you can’t win 3-0 just by luck.

Henry: Did any overseas clubs approach you?

SW: Yes, Newcastle, Johnny Warren’s club (Canberra City), and another team which I forget.

KJ: Why did you not want to take up those offers?

SW: I can’t remember, I just did not want to go.

KJ: Do you remember the game against Australia in 1988?

SW: No, I retired in 1987. The goalkeeper was Akuila Ravono. [KJ note: The GK was actually Nasoni Buli.]

Henry: So, Save, which other goalkeepers did you respect because they had the calibre and class?

SW: Bale Raniga.

Manasa Tamanivalu: Why did you prefer Bale Raniga?

SW: Because he is my best friend.

[All laugh.]

Manasa: So just because he was your best friend you respected him as the best goalkeeper?

Manasa: So in your years of playing you prefer Bale as the best keeper. Were there any others that fight for that position?

SW: No, at that time Bale was Number One. When Rudi Gutendorf came to Fiji Bale became Number Two.

[Save smiles.]

Henry: Save does not talk; he is like a cat in the air.

Manasa: Like a tiger in bed [laughs].

Henry: Going back to the 1982 IDC penalty shoot-out do you remember saving any?

SW: Nadi missed four. [KJ note: Both teams scored six goals and missed four before bad light stopped play.]

Henry: Do you remember saving any kicks?

SW: Yes, Julie Sami’s kick. [KJ note: Save made a mistake here, Julie Sami took the fifth penalty-kick for Ba and he scored.]

Henry: Why do you remember Julie Sami’s kick?

Save: It was the last kick. After that was my kick. [KJ note: This is not correct. The last Ba kick was taken by Rupeni Soro who missed.] I saved the day for Nadi.

Seremaia Tale: You were the cream, man.

[All laugh.]

KJ: What did you think of Meli Vuilabasa?

SW: He is a good player.

Henry: What do you mean by a “good player”? In what way? Rough player? Sensible player?

Seremaia Tale: Same as you!

SW: Whenever Meli gets the ball in the penalty-box there were more chances of his team getting a goal because of his distribution of the ball and his ability to score goals in the box. I am very sorry that Joe Tubuna had passed on. He was one of the greatest players.

KJ: How did you feel when you first heard about Joe’s accident?

SW: I remember the days we played and drank together after the games and sleeping in the same room. We really enjoyed those times and after he passed away I really missed him.

KJ: What did you think of Inia Bola as a player?

SW: He could head the ball. He was deadly with his head and his placekicks.

KJ: Who was the best – Inia Bola or Rusiate Waqa?

SW: Rusi.

KJ: Why?

SW: Because he was a fast player. Wherever the ball is he is there.

Henry: Rudi was the disturber in the defence.

Manasa: That means he was the one making a lot of noise in that area.

KJ: What did you think of Semi Tabaiwalu as a player?

SW: He was a good defender, one of the best.

Henry: Why do you say “one of the best”?

SW: He is steady, he reads the game.

Seremaia Tale: Steady at the back.

Henry: So Semi was one of the most valuable players?

SW: Yes, he played mostly in the right-back.

Savenaca - winning coach of Nadi, 2002 IDC.

Henry: How about Mohammed Hussein?

[All laugh.]

Henry: He can’t answer the question [laughs].

Henry: It’s a funny thing, man.

KJ: What do you think of Inosi Tora in defence?

SW: He was a good player.

Henry: What do you mean by “a good player”?

SW: He was a good defender.

Henry: Strong? Hard? Tough?

[These questions were not answered.]

KJ: Were there any other good players?

SW: “Bacardi” [Emasi Koroi] was the master mover for Nadi at that time. Also [Sosi] Kaitani and Henry Dyer. … And Kini Momo, as well as Manu Pokar.

KJ: He is the best [meaning Henry Dyer].

Seremaia Tale: Best in the west.

KJ: Why?

SW: He makes moves when he has the ball. I think Henry was one of the best in our days. You hardly find players in the Nadi and Fiji teams nowadays like Henry Dyer.

Henry: What do you like most about Henry Dyer?

SW: He also encouraged the boys to keep playing until the last whistle even when we were losing.

KJ: Do you have any regrets in your career such as not going to England?

SW: No, I am happy living here in my own village and in my own country.

KJ: What do you think of these two goalkeepers – Savenaca Waqa and Seremaia Tale?

Henry: They had the same skills, they were flexible.

Manasa: They were the heroes of our time. But logically Save will always be the greatest because he came first. He taught Seremaia the basic skills of being a good goalkeeper.

Henry: What Save learned in his years of playing he passed on to Seremaia quickly so Seremaia became a better goalkeeper faster.

Manasa: Also because they had the same height and same build. What makes it stronger is that they have the same blood ties.

KJ: How?

Henry: They are related from the same tribe and same landowning unit (Namotomoto Village) so the blood ties are fairly strong with them.

Manasa: It is just a legacy that Savenaca passed on to Seremaia. You can look around the room and see the gold medals around. This is what Savenaca passed on to Seremaia, like father, like son. It is the same legacy passed on from father to son. So Savenaca started off playing in the Fiji team and Seremaia was the last of the clan to don the Fiji goalkeeper shirt. It is everyone’s dream to put on that jumper so they were glad.

KJ: Which team was the best – Ba or Nadi? How can you compare Ba’s six-in-a-row IDC wins with Nadi’s four national league titles?

Henry: How can you compare?

SW: I prefer Ba.

KJ: Why?

Henry, Savenaca, Seremaia @ Fiji FA Veterans' Dinner, 2014.

SW: Because they won six-in-a-row [1975-80].

Manasa: And that record has never been beaten by any other district.

KJ: Do you think it is harder for Fijians to become coaches or officials than Indians?

SW: The problem is that you have to attend the clinics Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. We have to attend those clinics and then we can coach that team. This is the only difference.

Manasa: Compared to that level then Fiji soccer is going nowhere. They played real soccer then.

Henry: Constructive soccer.

Manasa: And people loved watching the game then and loved playing for their district. Then money did not come first. Love for the district came first.

Henry: All they wanted was a carton of beer.

Manasa: After one game they sold their souls for a carton of beer. I’m sorry to pitch into this discussion.

KJ: No, this is good.

Henry: But that’s the truth.

KJ: Is it just because of the coaching certificates or is there something else?

SW: That is the rule from Fiji FA.

Henry and Nadi Hardcore Fans in Nadi Town.

Manasa: What I reckon is this: It is whom we know in Fiji Football. They are defending who will be the next president of Fiji Football. One guy from Vodafone contested but he could not win as the big guy from Ba had the money and he knew how to control people’s minds. What I’m saying is true. I play rugby. Rugby is different because they still play for pride in representing their province. I’m glad I associate more with these people here – Mr Waqa, Mr Tale, and Mr Dyer. They share the same sentiment.

KJ: Do you hope to coach any more teams?

SW: No, I don’t feel like getting involved in coaching any teams.

Manasa: What are the issues which need to be resolved?

SW: The CEO of Fiji Football now [Bob Kumar] was then the secretary. How is there any new blood? The old people are still there. We really need new blood.

Manasa: Soccer is dying out now; it is not growing. These are the words coming from a rugby player [smiles].

Henry: But with a lot of interest in soccer.

Manasa: Yes, I played soccer in primary schools.

Henry: Save, did Fiji Football or Nadi Soccer at any time approach you and give you free match tickets?

SW: No, never.

Seremaia Tale: No, not at all.

Henry: So you are the forgotten heroes.

[KJ note: Save coached Nadi in 2002 for Nadi’s last IDC win.]

KJ: Why did you leave as coach?

SW: Because I did not have the Level 1 cert.

Henry: This is the same as Semi’s case [Semi Tabaiwalu] when he also won trophies. Up until today Nadi has not won another IDC.

KJ: So you were coach for only one year?

SW: Yes.

Henry: That’s a [great] record – to achieve the IDC in only one year.

THE END******************************************

Hardcore travelling Ba fans stopping for one last drink in Lautoka on the way back to Ba after 2015 FIJI FACT in Nadi 2015. Skull is third from left and Ben is fourth from left.

Fiji teammates Henry Dyer (left) and Semi Tabaiwalu @ Ba

The barman at Ba Central Club accepts a drink of Fiji Gold from Henry Dyer while Ba and Fiji legend Semi Tabaiwalu (first on left) looks on.

Henry Dyer in Ba Town on a quiet working day recalling great matches and great friends from the past.