Blues Receive $20k Boost
The Vodafone Lautoka Football side received a timely boost yesterday as they prepare for the first leg of OFC Champions League semifinal at Churchill Park this Sunday.
Major sponsor Vodafone Fiji provided an additional $20,000 sponsorship to back the team with their mission for this prestigious championship.
Vodafone Fiji sponsorship specialist Shamal Sharma said finance plays a major role behind a team’s success. “Being the sponsors, we understand the importance of financial backing for any team to be successful.
“With the new format in the OFC Champions League, Lautoka is facing a lot of financial burdens because they have played group stage in New Zealand, went to Tahiti to play the quarterfinal, now they playing Marist FC from Solomon Islands in the home and away basis semifinal. And if they win they will be traveling to New Zealand again.
“So we’re trying to back them up with additional $20,000 sponsorship so that they have their full focus on the game rather than worrying about the finances.
“We are here to them back for their mission to become the first team to represent Fiji at the FIFA Club World Cup championship,” Sharma said.
Lautoka Football Association president Abdul Kadar said he is indebted to major sponsor Vodafone and Fiji Football Association for backing the team.
“I would like to thank Fiji Football for taking our proposal to our major sponsor Vodafone and we have been boosted with another $20,000 for the preparations for semifinal this Sunday.
“We’re representing Fiji and it’s a great achievement what Lautoka Football has done.
“This is a history of Lautoka football as well.:
Kadar said more support from the football fans in general is needed as only four games are left in this prestigious competition.
“I would like to ask, not only the Lautoka fans, but the football fans in general to come down to Churchill Park this Sunday and support our boys.”
He said the boys mean serious business during the training sessions as they prepare for a tough battle ahead. “Preparations is going really good and once again I would like to thank Fiji Football for providing us with the assistance of national head coach Christophe Gamel and his presence with Lautoka Football is indeed a boost for the boys. “Our head coach Kamal Swamy has also learnt a lot working along with the expertise of Christophe Gamel.” Lautoka meets Marist in the first leg 3pm at Churchill Park this Sunday followed by leg two at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara next Sunday.