40 teams for schools champs
Forty teams will participate in the 2019 Vodafone Fiji Football Association sponsored Fiji Secondary Schools Championship to be played on August 8-11 in Ba.
Fiji Secondary Schools Football Association secretary Vimlesh Kumar said during the launch on Saturday the championship marked the 62nd year of competition which began in 1957.
“It is another historic achievement for FSSFA and we are grateful for the tremendous support shown by our sponsors Vodafone and Fiji Football Association,”Kumar said.
“I would like to thank Vodafone and Fiji FA for the continued support without which organizing a tournament involving 20 Under-19 teams, four U17 teams, eight U15 teams and eight girls teams would not have been impossible.”
Kumar said the championship had been growing every year and this year the number teams participating has increased.
“FSSFA is also keen to introduce the Comet programme in our championship and we are in close contact with Fiji FA which has a database of all secondary schools players and competitions. A total of 40 teams will compete in 84 matches during the four-day tournament.
“The growth of the championship has helped to nurture current and future national reps who will be instrumental in bringing glory to our beloved nation.”
He said the secondary schools championship plays a vital role in
the development of football in the country.
“The championship not only nurtures players but future coaches, managers, administrators, and most of all the future referees. We have seen that a number of cadet referees officiating in our district and zonal games which assures well for future match officials.
“There is intense competition in our district and zonal championships and this year we will see new winners in the U15 and U17 grades as last year’s winners have not qualified.
“Xavier College the defending champions in the U19 grade have qualified with Vunimono High School the defending champions in the girls competitions. “There has been an increase in the number of girls’ team in our district and zonal competitions. The three new schools who will take part this year are Jasper Williams High, Lomawai Secondary and Vashist Muni College in the girls’ grade.”