Football Prodigy

In a rugby league-dominated country, Zane Tokowaga Baptiste dreams of becoming PNG’s soccer star. Zane is a passionate, disciplined, and highly motivated young footballer with a deep love for soccer.  

Having roots in the Trobriand Islands of Milne Bay’s Kiriwina-Goodenough District, Zane proudly carries his identity with pride everywhere he goes.  

Zane’s father, Imran Baptiste, noted that his son showed glimpses of a superstar when he was a little boy, piquing interest in the code and displaying tremendous skills. 

“At just 10 years old, soccer is not just a sport for him—it is part of who he is. From morning to night, the ball is always close by, so much so that he even sleeps with it in his room. His commitment, enthusiasm, and hunger to improve are truly something special,” he said. 

“I noticed Zane’s potential at a very early age. This journey did not start yesterday. It began when he was a small boy first watching him kick a ball, then juggle it, and later develop real ball control, skills, and game awareness.

“What stood out early was not just talent, but his commitment, discipline, and genuine love for the game. Those qualities convinced me that his dream deserves to be protected and nurtured.”

The 10-year-old currently attends Kopkop College, where he will be doing grade 4 this year. His academics are a top priority in his life, and he clearly understands that education always comes first.

Mr. Baptiste mentioned that his son used to compete in the school competition, which stopped a few years ago. However, he enrolled Zane in a privately-run soccer program called Vibes Football Coaching (VFC).

“He previously took part in school soccer competitions about two years ago. Unfortunately, since then, there have been no ongoing school soccer programs. To ensure his development did not stall, I enrolled him in a private soccer program,” he said.

“That decision led us to Vibes Football Coaching run by coach Roland Bala, a program that has played a major role in shaping Zane’s technical foundation.”

The rising talent’s routine is structured and well-balanced. Balancing studies and football training sessions remains Zane’s number one priority. 

“Balance is something we are very strict about. I constantly remind Zane that school and soccer go hand in hand. If he wants to play soccer, he must do well in school, and he understands this clearly,” the proud father stated.

“The good thing is that he performs very well academically, which shows that the balance is working. Training is never allowed to interfere with school responsibilities. Discipline off the field is just as important as discipline on it.”

The following is Zane’s daily routine:

• School during the day, with full focus on learning;

• Training with Vibes Football Coaching three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) from 3:00 pm–5:00 pm;

• One-on-one training with his dad on Tuesdays and Thursdays;

• Morning routine - A 15-minute training session before attending class; and

• After training, he goes home, washes and hangs his uniforms, completes his schoolwork, has dinner, and spends his free time watching soccer reels or videos.

“On Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school weeks, he comes straight home after school and completes his responsibilities. By 5:00 pm, he sets up his own training session while waiting for me to return from work. We then train together until 6:30 pm. He usually goes to bed around 9:30 pm,” Zane’s father explained. 

Training locations:

• Home (basic drills and fitness); and

• Bisini Grounds (for proper space and ball work).

During the school holidays, these are his training schedules with his dad:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - Training at Bisini from 5:00 pm–6:30 pm;

• Thursday - Rest and recovery day;

• Friday - Training focused mainly on ball work; and

• Saturday and Sunday - Optional, but he is always with the ball.

Zane literally eats, sleeps, and talks about football every day. In fact, his life revolves around football. 

“In reality, even on rest days, Zane always finds time to kick the ball. Technically, he is training in some form almost every day,” Baptiste said. 

Mr. Baptiste has seen Zane’s growth over the years and has been pleased. Zane starts to hone his craft and become a confident player, with his father praising the VFC for mentoring the rising talent. 

“Training Zane is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Watching him grow from a child who needed help with the basics into someone who now understands ball control, skills, game awareness, commitment, and discipline makes me extremely proud as a father. I am super proud,” he expressed.

“It has not always been easy, and we still have a long way to go, but the progress he has made, combined with the support from Vibes Football Coaching, is something I truly value and appreciate.”

Mr. Baptiste further said that Zane has a dream, and as a parent, he does not want to see that dream fade away. Hence, these are the long-term vision for his son:

• Continuity - Help Zane to continue his technical and mental development;

• Exposure - Create opportunities for him to compete in higher-level competitions;

• Overseas Pathway - Create a pathway for him to pursue a career abroad; and

• National Representation - Represent Papua New Guinea on the international stage. 

The father understands that there is no development pathway for aspiring footballers in PNG, so he wants to ensure that his son is well-equipped with the fundamentals of football at a young age, which will help him to explore his options abroad in the future. 

“In PNG, there is currently no clear pathway for young players like Zane, so I am doing my best to help him develop and one day, achieve his dreams,” he added.

“With dedication, commitment, discipline, and consistency, I truly believe he will realise his goals. 

“For Zane, soccer is everything. As long as he remains grounded, focused on school and hungry to improve, I will continue to support him every step of the way. Nothing is impossible.” 

Young Zane Baptiste is a die-hard Real Madrid fan. Though Vinícius Júnior is his favorite player, Cristiano Ronaldo remains his number one idol. He aspires to become PNG’s next Cristiano Ronaldo.