Poor results, time to ask the hard questions
Another set of friendlies, yet the same results. The highly fancied Digicel national football team is being taught a football lesson by Vanuatu, Fijian Under-20 and Solomon Islands.
They were beaten 2-1 by Vanuatu, drew 2-2 with the Fiji U20 and copped a 2-0 loss to the Solomons last Sunday.
So, what is happening? The Fiji National Sports Commission needs to start asking hard questions to the Fiji Football Association.
Yes, the world governing body FIFA does not prefer national governments to meddle into football issues but because the country’s taxpayers pay for the head coach’s salary, every citizen has the right to demand for an answer.
What went wrong? Is the Digicel Fiji Premier League not up to the required standard? Are players lacking national pride? Are coaches and technical officials not up to scratch? Is Fiji FA not focused on the real issues surrounding the preparation of the national team whenever they take the field? These are some of the many questions that football fans have. Social media is abuzz with comments directed towards Fiji FA, who as usual has remained tightlipped.
The demands of the fans are justified.
There was a time, Australia would try its best to avoid playing Fiji.
In the 1970s, 80s and even in the early 90s, the Socceroos’ were wary of the Fijian football side. Our national football team of yesteryears would thrash teams like Vanuatu, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
For example, at the 1983 South Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa, we hammered the Solomon Islands 10-1 during pool play.
All that mattered to the fans then was our games against Australia and New Zealand.
Despite losing, those matches would have fans on the edge of their seats.
However, in the last decade, everything has changed. We are now struggling to beat these so called minnows. They have caught up and are now ahead of us.
These teams operate on a shoestring budget when compared to us.
Many of their players and officials don’t get paid but they play for the love of their country.
House in order
It’s unfortunate that a highly decorated former dual international in Marika Rodu, has to shoulder the blame after years of non-performance by foreign coaches.
If Fiji FA wants a long sustainable success, it must first put its house in order.
There needs to be a change in its constitution, which currently allows executives to be in the position for as long as they want.
The terms of the executive councils must be limited to two terms of four years. Nothing more. If you cannot do the job, move out.
Sitting at the helm of Fiji FA to attend FIFA conferences should not be the reason to hold on to the posts.
I have not seen one president secure matches with Arabian or Asian sides to visit and play matches here.
Development officers must be monitored and be results based. If all development officers have the same accreditations and work with the same vigor, than secondary schools football should be facilitating and churning out quality footballers, no matter the school monogram on the players chest.
This will further strengthen age grade competition.
Introduce, a Fiji FA Cup with all teams from Premier, Senior and Super Premier, allcompeting for top honours.
The tournament can run on four weekends and have games in rural areas to spread the gospel of football.
Have a six-team franchise football to start the football calendar and make it a professional league. Fiji football is currently at semiprofessional and the need for lucrative incentives for the DPL winners, like a five or six match tour to Asia or other European countries.
Re-visit and invite Premier League clubs to play in Fiji, as it used to happen in the 1980s.
Fiji FA must bear all expenses, to put players in various academies around the world so they could be developed to become good footballers.
There should be at least 20 Roy Krishna’s in various club academies around the world.
And finally, just like rugby, the Prime Minister must be given the authority to have an appointee to the board. This will keep everyone on their toes.
These changes must be made if Fiji is to one-day realise its dream of playing at the FIFA World Cup, which is now accommodating 48 teams and if not then God help football in the country.