Lautoka soccer start preparations
VITI Water Flow Lautoka football team began preparations on Monday in anticipation of the recommencement of local football competitions after the easing of some sports restrictions by the Government.
Head coach of Lautoka FC Imdad Ali said it was a "soft" approach for his outfit presently.
"It's shadow training at the moment for the boys," he said.
"We started training on Monday and the emphasis at the moment is more on imparting problem solving techniques in game situations.
"The idea is to develop them further tactically so that they become creative without sustaining any pressure.
"It's basically harnessing the football skills of the players at this point in time in a very safe manner.
"I am working slowly with the boys so that they get into the rythym of gaining the required fitness levels to play competitive football later when the green light is given for contact sports to resume.
"There is no contact between any of the players now because the training sessions aren't competitive."
Ali said there was a comprehensive meeting with the officials of Fiji Football Association last Sunday at Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka whereby the training programs were issued.
"We're adhering to all the strict COVID-19 measures in place by the Ministry of Health during our training sessions.
"I am going slowly with the boys so that they don't incur any injuries although the great news is that the boys are able to train as a team now compared to their individual training previously."
He said nearly 60 per cent of the team's players were attending training sessions.
The team is training at the Lautoka Primary School ground and undergoes one session in a day from 5pm to 7pm.
Lautoka is the Fiji Football Association's Digicel Premier League leaders after amassing 13 points from six matches while Rewa is second with 11 points.
Meanwhile, the Sugar City outfit is expected to tackle the Babasiga Lions on Saturday, October 23, in it's seventh round encounter of the DPL at a venue and time yet to be ascertained by Fiji FA.