Locally-based Edwards, who hails from the island of Atiu, has put in the hard yards during training which has earned him the chance to represent his country.
The 16-year-old striker has the added role of being team captain and has set himself a target of scoring at least one goal in every match during the tournament.
“I will endeavour to encourage my team to win our matches against Tonga, American Samoa and our hosts Samoa,” Edwards says.
“Concentration is the main focus against our opposition while in Samoa and I believe that we can succeed in achieving our goal as a team.”
The New Zealand-born Inia inherited his Cook Island roots from his father and says his football career was initially just a hobby which started during his physical education classes at Onehunga High School in Auckland.
But in 2010 the goalkeeper was selected to play in the school’s first XI, where he was then scouted by Auckland club Central United who he continues to play for today.
“Being selected to represent the Cook Islands in the U-17 is the realisation of a dream for me,” Inia says.
“I am overwhelmed at this opportunity and I am going to give it my all at the championship.”
And having achieved one dream, Inia is now looking to the next – being the best goalkeeper at the tournament and leaving a good impression on his teammates.
“I look forward to the preliminaries in Samoa and anticipate improving my skills during the championship,” Inia says.
Cook Islands coach Tuka Tisam says Edwards and Inia are both young and versatile and he sees them continuing their football careers right through to the men’s national side.
“I have seen Pekay grow as a player, he displays aggression on the field and is strong minded about what he wants, this is a trait I look for in our young players,” Tisam says.
“It’s that motivation you see in him that will encourage his peers to work hard.”
He adds that Inia’s competitive attitude in the goal box is a huge encouragement for the defence.
“He has a confidence about him which I believe will strengthen not only the defence but hopefully the whole team, with the team captain in tow,” Tisam says.
For more on Cook Islands football go to www.cookislandsfootball.com

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