Young, Smart, and Passionate Local Referee

I would like to dedicate this blog to a special friend of mine: Krishneel Chand. You are an inspiration and mentor :)

Facebook makes us meet so many people, from people you know,or are related too, or some one you have not met before but with time get to know each other and call that person "your friend". And just as this, i met Krishneel aka Kiri. But i call him "ruf tuf"- you will know why further in the blog.

Krishneel hails from the beautiful town of Nadi, and former Korovuto College student. Being the eldest,and coming from an Indo-Fijian background, be it eldest child of two siblings or many siblings, one has alot to prove and attain as the role-model. And i can say by knowing him that he has successfully set a marvellous achievement.

As with time i got to know Krishneel i found out that he is the youngest, 22years old and 1st Indo-Fijian Referee of Fiji :D. I mean it all actually happened for real for Kiri in 2010 when he had gone down to Fiji Rugby Union and after bit of Q&As down at the FRU he was referred to Suva Rugby Union where he underwent fitness test and successfully passed :)

So i personally asked how his passion for referring all started?

Well Krishneel was like when ever he watched rugby and saw the referees running in the field, he would get chills down his spine and just the  excitment he got just from the rugby field atmosphere would just be thrilling for him AND now that 

Kiri is part of the Refereeing successfully his conscious time and again tells him in the changing room "this is where he belongs..and this what he is(referee)..and this is what he should continue doing" and no doubt that he made the right choice when it came to his passion.!

But in the process of refereeing and managing other aspects of life, it has proven to be a big challenge. When he started off in 2010, he was also student at University of the South Pacific doing Bachelors in Engineering and mind you, it was something he had to juggle to make it work out for him and be where he is now!

He is just a step away to complete his Bachelor's Degree, all thanks to his hard work and perseverance. Hence now while awaiting in getting a job in his qualified field of Engineering, Kiri is working more on his physique so that he can further succeed in Refereeing especially because he wants to be part of IRB team (which i wish him all the very best).

Credit goes out to his mentor, the top on his list: "James Bolabiu" and ofcourse his family especially his parents who have supported him through thick and thin.

Now back to why i call him "ruf tuf", well its simple: everytime iam catching up with Krishneel he updates me about his refereeing and in our conversation it hit me..Not only does he ref but when he goes for his training he also plays rugby, and playing rugby is not easy. One has to endure so much pain,injury.And for Kiri, being slim and in the process of gyming to build up his physique he goes through so much tackles, bumps, falls etc leading to injuries, BUT that does not stop him from getting up and achieving what he has worked so hard for uptil today. So that where i came up with nickname "ruf tuf"-(rough while training and yet being tough).

When it comes to being someone or achieving something in life, it is not always associated with getting a A+ or Masters Degree or getting the position of CEO in a well known company but something that one truly and passionately achieves despite all the hiccups in life. And with regards to achieving: a milestone was created by Kiri,when he was nominated for the "Best Assistant Referee"  and "Special Referee" award in November, last year!

So Employers, not only will you have a successful graduate due in time but also a local super star who scooped up award for "Special Referee of the Year 2012"

You are an inspiration to me Ruf Tuf and i wish u all the best in your future endevours.

"One being young, or old: age is no barrier in achieving what you want to achieve"

http://www.fijisun.com.fj/2012/11/08/ref-chand-in-for-awards/

Caption: Krishneel in action.