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| Valérie Gauvin wearing traditional Necklaces given to her by her PNG relatives |
pictures by Post Courier photographer Mark Talia
UNITING with relatives for the very first time will always be treasured for a life-time.
For French striker Valérie Gauvin, yesterday was icing to the cake for her 2016 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup.
Who would have thought Gauvin has a Papua New Guinea heritsge, she has Central Province bloodlines, to be more exact from the Goilala District of Central Province in Papua New Guinea.
The young woman received an overwhelming surprise by her relatives at Koki-Wanigela community in Moresby South electorate yesterday.
Gauvin’s grandmother Joa got married to a French missionary during Papua New Guinea’s pre-independence colonial era.
Joa later gave birth to four children - three girls and a boy.
Valerie’s mother was the eldest of the four siblings and their mother (Joa) is a citizen of France where they all grew up.
One of Gauvin’s ‘long distance’ relative, Elizabeth Koitoi surprised her with a handful of traditional Goilala necklaces and local bilums as gifts.
“I am very excited to meet my relatives here in Port Moresby and these gifts will forever be remembered when I go back home to France,” said a smiling Gauvin.
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| Valerie Gauvin (18) in action for France during the U20 Womens World Cup |
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| Valérie Gauvin with relative Elizabeth Koitoi |
Gauvin’s village name is ‘Murain’.
“We are all happy to witness her taking part in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
“This is a proud moment for the Goilala people, especially as she will be playing in the Grand Final on Saturday against Korea DPR.
“This is a special moment for our family,” added Koitoi.
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