Nadroga celebrates
SIGATOKA Town came to a standstill last Saturday as the victorious Nadroga football team celebrated its 2020 Courts Inter District Championship win.
It was a sea of yellow on the day as a march started from the Tappoo’s shop end towards Valley Rd junction which went through town led by the Andhra College marching band.
Nadroga fans had an opportunity to meet and greet the players and congratulate their players for the impressive performance this season.
The official program was held in the evening where players were handed prizes and gifts for the win at the Seaview Drive Resort in Sigatoka.
The chief guest for the night was Fiji’s Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum with Fiji FA vice-president Aiyaz Musa, Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf, former players, representatives from Sigatoka business sector, families and supporters.
Sayed-Khaiyum congratulated the players, officials, their respective families and the business sector who had contributed to the campaign.
He stressed the important role family play when it comes to winning tournaments.
“Family is very important, the players always have to go back home at night and to have stable family environment obviously will help him to be much better player,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“I like to thank everybody for the contribution. Obviously in all of this behind are a lot of people that have helped them to reach this stage.
“Not only the coach and the technical people, the sponsors, the fans, and their families that provide support,” said AG.
Fiji FA vice-president Aiyaz Musa said on behalf Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel and the football family it was a great pleasure to be part of Nadroga FA’s 2020 Courts IDC celebration.
“It takes me back tonight as I stand here tonight to those days when Nadroga used to be a team to reckon with and I’m sure you all are proud tonight of your achievements.
“The victory you are celebrating tonight is because of teamwork and each of you have proved that great leadership, discipline and teamwork is the key to success,” said Musa.
Musa said Nadoga had proved to be a team to reckon with this season.
“You are just a hurdle away from coming back to the top level and tonight you are celebrating your Courts IDC senior-division victory and this should motivate you to pass the barrier and give back what the people of Nadroga are eagerly waiting for. For Nadroga to feature in the top level of football.
“You have the support of your people, business houses, fans abroad and everything that is needed for you to play in the premier division,” said the Lautoka businessman
“There are lot memories of the Nadroga team winning major titles and I remember in 1988 when Nadroga won the first IDC title in the premier division beating Nasinu 1-0 in the final at the National Stadium in Suva now ANZ Stadium and making it back to back in 1989 where they defeated Lautoka at home 1-0.
“The last time Nadroga won the Courts IDC in the premier division was in 1993 at Govind Park in Ba where they defeated Nasinu 1-0 in the final,” added Musa.
“We want to see those glory days back and I can say it’s not far away as you have shown with your performance this season.”
Musa said Nadroga had produced talented players who had contributed a lot towards the development of football in Fiji.
“I am glad to see that under the new executive members there is renewed vigour to improve the competitive quality of Nadroga football, but I would also encourage us to make sure we retain sportsmanship at the heart of this energetic drive for success, “said Musa
“Win or lose, we are united. Regardless of your skin colour, limitations, religion and of your sexual orientation, football brings people together.”
Nadroga defeated Bua 3-0 in the final to claim the 2020 Courts IDC senior division title after three years.