In the late 2012, a 21-year old Shalvin Prasad - resident of Flat Bush - was deceitfully killed by two of his friends who were trying to fraud him of $30,000 cash. Shalvin’s charred body was discovered on a rural road in Kingseat on January 31, 2013.
The story had then grappled the community and Aucklanders alike, for not only the fate of young life lost so early but also for the element of treachery and deceit involved in the act.
The life has moved on so much since then, but not for the family of the ill-fated boy.
The family came together with Counties Manukau MPES Team and the Cane Cutters Club members (NZ Police Staff from Fiji) on Sunday, May 7, to organise a friendly football match in the memory of slain Shalvin Prasad at the Centre Park Grounds in East Mangere.
“Every year we organise a football match remembering our beloved Shalvin. He was cheerful, enthusiastic, decent and a great sportsperson,” Pravin Prasad, Shalvin’s elder brother told Indian Weekender.
“He loved football, if, given the opportunity, he would have played soccer all his life,” Pravin added.
The football match gathered the support of more than 100 community members who attended the event in memory of Shalvin Prasad. The match was played between the teams Shal’s family, friends, and Manukau United.
“Manukau United is a social team; I, Shalvin and our dad played for this team for about 15-years. Every Sunday, we get together and have a game, and this is how we wanted to celebrate and remember Shalvin,” Pravin said.
“What better way to remember Shalvin than doing that one thing he loved the most,” he added.
Present at the event were police and partner agencies promoting safety messages for the community.
On May 7, 2015, assailants Shivneel Kumar and Bryne Permal were both found guilty of murdering South Auckland resident Shalvin Prasad and were awarded life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 17 years.
“My son was a great soul, he was smart, empathetic and everybody loved him, Shammi Prasad, Shalvin’s mother who is now a police employee said.
“It is never the same since he passed away, we miss him every day and our life changed the day he left us,” Ms Prasad added.
Shal’s Family and Friends won the match defeating Manukau United by seven goals.
“I thank my friends and community members for coming today and making this event a success, Shalvin will always be alive in our hearts,” Pravin said.
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