Baby Babasiga Lions take on challenge
The Labasa Under-19 football team officials are confident that they would come out victorious in the upcoming Vodafone Youth League playoffs final. They go up against Western champions Ba and Central champs Rewa respectively. Labasa U19 coach Ranjan Sharma said yesterday the team were in good form and would give their Viti Levu counterparts a good run for their money. “The playoff was supposed to happen this week but it has been postponed to next month because of the adverse weather conditions,” the Labasa schoolteacher said. “The performance of the team had advanced greatly in the past weeks as they played throughout the Vodafone Youth League in the North and we hope to build more of our strengths as we prepare for the meet.” They had beaten Dreketi 3-1 last Sunday to be crowned the Northern champions. “We are not taking any chances as this will be a do-or-die situation for us.” Sharma said players have been given a short break before they resume their training on December 27. He said a short time was given to the players to spend with their families before they continue training again. “This is a development team and core of the team is being eyed by the Labasa Football Association for the district’s senior team.”
He said the presence of a Fiji Football representative in the North has contributed a lot to the development and performance of the team.
“I would like to thank Iosefo Vosaboro and the Fiji Football Association for helping in the advancement of the players.” Vosaboto is a Fiji FA development officer and was a former national football star goalkeeper who led Ba and Lautoka to many major victories. The date of the playoff is yet to be confirmed. Edited by Leone Cabenatabua