Timely Reminder, Fiji FA Targets Far Short

Premila Kumar fired a timely reminder that should be a wake-up call for the Fiji Football Association.

The Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development stressed that the local football governing body was far short of achieving its true potential and targets over the years.

She made special mention of how Fiji, coached by the late Billy Singh, once beat the Socceroos 1-0 at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, in 1988.

She revealed that 40 years later, since the inaugural Battle of the Giants was incepted, the Fiji FA needed to make a mark and score a first like other sports federations.

While she thanked fans and sponsors such as INKK Mobile for staying faithful over the years, she said Fiji FA must step up like the rest. She opened the annual event at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori, on Friday.

She said golfer Vijay Singh was a former world No.1, Fiji winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics and World Sevens Series champions, Fiji Airways Flying Fijians beating Tier One nations, so the Fiji FA must work towards the goal of being recognised internationally.

But the hard work should start at home and around the region. Recently football teams (men, women) won bronze while their rugby and league counterparts retuned home with gold medals from the Pacific Games in Samoa.

Kumar said despite being a small country, Fiji had done very well in selected sports such as golf, rugby sevens and 15s putting Fiji on the international map.

In football, we have in the past surprised teams such as Australia and done relatively well in the Pacific region.

“However, I want to say to the football officials and players at all levels in this country that we have not been consistent with our performance. The talent in football is in abundance, but we have not reached where we should be,” Minister Kumar said.

She urged and challenged Fiji FA to work towards enhancing standards to be recognised.

That’s the target and Fiji FA must take heed.

Despite being a small country, Fiji had done very well in selected sports such as golf, rugby sevens and 15s putting Fiji on the international map.