Kumar: Open Transfer Window
Ba Football eyes overseas players for Champions League
The Ba Football Association is intending to include overseas players in their squad for next month’s OFC Champions League. And for that to happen, the Ba FA has called on the Fiji Football Association to act quickly and open the transfer window. Ba FA president Rishi Kumar said this is crucial as they could include overseas players to strengthen their Champions League campaign in order to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup. “Our first game is on February 26 and we do not have much time,” Kumar told SUNsports. “Our team have marched into camp and it is major setback for us as we cannot include overseas players to be part of this camp at the moment as the transfer window is not opened. “The deadline for submitting the final team list to OFC for the Champions League is on February 5 and we have to act quickly.” When contacted yesterday Fiji FA chief executive officer Bob Kumar said, he has not received any request from Ba on the matter.
“If they raised it with us then we could work on it. Right now I’ve not received anything as yet. The Ba FA should raised it with us or with the president Mr Patel and we will look into it.” The transfer window will be opened on February 1. Kumar said 22 local-based players are now in camp and there are interests from foreign players who are wanting to join the team.
“All other participating clubs in the Champions League are recruiting players to strengthen their bid. We have overseas players wanting to join the team and we have told them to wait until the opening of the transfer window,” Kumar said. Ba will accompany Vodafone Premier League runners-up Rewa in the Champions League. Rewa start their Champions League campaign in March where they will play their pool matches in Tahiti.
The Ba FA officials have indicated they would be writing to Fiji FA with the hope of sorting it out. The “Men in Black” have played 6 times in the Champions League and are the only successful side representing the country. They came close in 2007 but lost to Waitakere United on an away goal rule that ruled them out of a FIFA Club World Cup berth. Ba are in a tough pool B where they meet Team Wellington of New Zealand and hosts Hienghene Sport of New Caledonia. Their first game is against Hienghene Sport on February 26. “We are serious to play in the Club World Cup this year. We have a good side as all our seasonal local players are with us and are in camp,” he added. Edited by Leone Cabenatabua