For more than a decade, the name Ofa Laakulu has stood tall in Tonga Women’s Football, a symbol of hard work, sacrifice, and deep national pride. One of the most capped players in Mataliki history, Ofa’s story is a true testament to what it means to serve your country with heart.
For Ofa, wearing the national jersey has always been more than a selection, it is a privilege grounded in faith and purpose. “It is my God-given talent,” she says. “Whenever I am called to represent my country, I always play my best. It is very important to me.”
Growing up, football was already in her blood. Her family played the sport long before her even her mother and Ofa spent her childhood following them to the fields. Surrounded by football culture, she understood early that this was the sport she belonged to.
Before football took over, Ofa was a standout athlete at Queen Salote College. She dominated long-distance events, collecting gold medals throughout her high school years. But at 15 years old, her path shifted when she joined Veitongo FC the moment her football career truly began.
Ofa made her international debut for Tonga in 2011, representing the Kingdom at the South Pacific Games in New Caledonia. That first appearance opened the door to a long and remarkable journey across Senior Women’s and age-group national teams.
Today, she stands proudly as one of the most capped women’s footballers in Tonga’s history, a milestone built on discipline, sacrifice, and relentless self-motivation.
Living near the TFA headquarters made training more accessible, but Ofa is clear about the true challenge. “Self-motivation, self-training, doing the extra, that was the hard part,” she shares.
She understood early that success demanded sacrifice. In a country where food culture often challenges athletes, Ofa pushed herself beyond limits, doing the extra work to become the best version of herself.
Among Ofa’s proudest memories is representing Tonga in the U-20 tournament in New Zealand, a campaign where she felt she played some of her best football. Tonga lost 3–1 to New Zealand, defeated Vanuatu 4–0, and fell 4–0 to PNG results that shaped her career and confidence.
Another highlight was winning a bronze medal at the 2017 Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu, one of the achievements closest to her heart.
Ofa’s leadership has long been recognised within the national setup. She has captained the Mataliki on multiple occasions most recently at the 2022 OFC Women’s Nations Cup in Fiji and in a friendly match against the Philippines in Australia the same year.
Her calm presence, experience, and discipline made her a natural leader on and off the pitch.
Ofa’s talent has never been hers alone it has inspired her entire household. Her passion for football lit a path that her younger sisters would later follow. Today, Ofa’s journey has come full circle as she proudly shares the Mataliki jersey with her younger sister, ‘Ana Talasinga.
What began as a family tradition has now grown into a legacy, a household of strong Tongan women carrying the Kingdom’s flag together.
Behind Ofa’s success stands one constant source of strength, her mother Unaloto Talasinga. “My mum is always my number one supporter,” Ofa says. “Even when I felt like I was done, she pushed me to keep training and playing for Veitongo.” That love and encouragement continues even today as Ofa, now 29 years old, makes her proud return to the national team.
Ofa last represented Tonga at the 2022 OFC Women’s Nations Cup in Fiji. After dealing with injuries, she considered stepping away but her love for the game didn’t fade. Today, she has returned stronger and in good form, wearing the Mataliki jersey again this time with added responsibility as vice-captain.
Her goal before retirement remains clear: to win another medal for Tonga.
To the young girls of Tonga dreaming of following her footsteps, Ofa shares a message from her heart: “Always put the Lord first in all your plans and goals. Don’t give up, no matter the challenges. Do your best, your sweat will not go to waste. You will achieve what you want when you work hard.”
End.
