Fiji’s Under-17 girls’ futsal team has been urged to make the nation proud as the young players depart for Dakar, Senegal, for their first appearance at the Youth Olympic Games.

Fiji Football Association chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf told the players their participation marked a significant milestone for women’s football in the country, giving them an opportunity to represent Fiji on the international stage.

Yusuf reminded the team that they carried the pride of their families, villages, towns and provinces, as well as the nation’s culture, as they prepared to compete against teams from around the world.

He described the tournament as a potentially life-changing experience, noting that the players would make history as the first Fijian women footballers to compete in a Youth Olympic tournament.

While stopping short of predicting a victory, Yusuf said representing Fiji at a global sporting event was an achievement in itself. He encouraged the players to give their best, learn from their opponents and use the experience to strengthen their ambitions in football.

He also urged the girls to broaden their outlook by observing the standards and performances of international teams, using what they learned to guide their long-term development.

Yusuf acknowledged head coach José Gerardo and the team management for their work in preparing the squad, while thanking parents and families for entrusting the players to their care.

He further encouraged the futsal team to respect the culture of their host nation and support other Team Fiji athletes competing at the Games.

Yusuf reinforced the importance of national unity, reminding the players that they were part of one team representing one country.