Babasiga Lions on track

Coach Ronil Lal will be guiding the SSS Building ( New Zealand) sponsored- Labasa football team to the Courts Interdistrict Championship for the third time.

He first coached Labasa to the 2016 IDC in Suva where they won and he did again at Prince Charles Park in Nadi, last year.

Speaking to SUNsports, he said despite not going into camp, their preparations have been going well. “We have been training for the past two weeks and the boys have shown a lot of commitments,” he said. “The boys are coming from home and training together with the exception of our goalkeepers, Akuila Mateisuva and Mohammed Alam, who are both in Suva.”

Lal indicated that he has the same squad from the Battle of the Giants tournament, with the likes of veteran Taniela Waqa, Ilisoni Logaivau, Atonio Tuivuna and Akeimi Ralulu.

“All teams are aiming to win that title but I’m hopeful that we can do it again. It will be tough but we have to work hard and plan well.”

Labasa are in Group B with Navua, Nadi and Ba. They take on Navua in their opening game on Tuesday at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

“I know it won’t be easy, I told the boys, this should be our hardest game,” Lal added.

PM TO OPEN IDC

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is going to open tomorrow’s 2020 Courts Interdistrict Championship (IDC).

This was confirmed to SUNsports yesterday by Fiji Football Association chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf.

“The Prime Minister will be doing the official opening at 6.30pm Tuesday,” he said.

Yusuf said they had done their ground inspection and the Fiji Sports Council workers have been working tirelessly to ensure that it was ready on time. “The council workers have made changes in the Buckhurst grounds where it is dry,” he said.

He also indicated that duo Saula Waqa and Malakai Nawakula were still suspended.

Meanwhile, Yusuf said the cancelled Vodafone Women’s IDC will be played from October 28- November 4 at the AN Stadium.