Tonga’s U16 National Women’s Team and the Tonga National Futsal Women’s Team entered their training camp on Sunday evening with a focus on both athletic preparation and personal development.
The camp serves as a critical part of their preparation for upcoming international tournaments. The U16 Women’s Team will compete in the OFC U16 Women’s Championship in Suva, Fiji, starting on September 8th. Meanwhile, the National Futsal Women’s Team is set to participate in the OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup, which kicks off this Saturday in the Solomon Islands.
The opening of the camp was marked by a special evening of prayer, led by Pastor Tanieli of Finland. This spiritual gathering set a reflective and empowering tone for the days ahead, emphasizing the importance of integrating faith with their athletic and personal growth. Pastor Tanieli inspired the players, coaches, and parents in attendance, underscoring the significance of embracing their journeys both on and off the field.
Following the prayer session, the teams were given a valuable educational session by Dr. Eddie Ramirez, an internationally recognized speaker and medical scientist from Mexico. With a background in promoting healthy lifestyles across 97 countries, Dr. Ramirez shared his expertise on nutrition, a key factor in achieving peak athletic performance. He began his session by stating, “I want to share with you this evening how to reach peak performance by changing our diet.”
Dr. Ramirez tailored his advice to the local context, analyzing the types of food available in Tonga and explaining how each can benefit an athlete’s body. He highlighted the importance of understanding which nutrients support different parts of the body and the optimal timing for consuming these foods to maximize performance.
Mrs. Tupou Pasikala, the Chair of the Women’s Football Department, attended the event and expressed her gratitude to the guest speakers. She also conveyed Tonga Football’s interest in organizing more sessions like this for other national teams, recognizing the value these insights bring to their athletes.
As the training camp continues, the Tonga National Futsal Women’s Team is set to depart this week for their tournament, while the Tonga U16 National Women’s Team will remain in camp to further hone their skills before heading to Fiji.
The empowering messages and expert guidance received at the start of the camp will undoubtedly fuel their drive and focus as they prepare for their upcoming tournaments.
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