Dear Editor – It is a pity to see our youth teams falling short from qualifying to the World Cup or any other Oceania youth championships.
Recent cases were the Under-17 boys that failed to book a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, after going down to New Caledonia 3-2 and the Under-20 boys that lost to Vanuatu 2-1, last year.
Why is that?
From my observation, most players have not been able to reveal their real ages when wanting to be part of the youth teams.
Some might be over the required age, but still lied about their date of birth to earn a place in the squad.
This is what I see as an untold sin.
For me, this might be the reason why our youth teams have failed to qualify for any youth World Cup or crowned as Youth Champions of Oceania.
Next time, players need to provide original and real birth certificates during any selection for a youth team representing the country.
Take note players and be sure your sin will find you out.
Derek Tom
Kukum Campus
SINU
