Fiji Sun

$$$ boost for schools football

- SALOTE QALUBAU LAUTOKA Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrol­a salote.qalubau@fijisun.com.fj

This year’s schools Interdistr­ict starts with the 45th edition of the primary division on September 21-23 in Tavua, followed by the secondary division on September 28-30 in Lautoka.

This week the Fiji Primary and Secondary Schools Football Associatio­n received more than $41,000 from Digicel and Fiji Football Associatio­n to hold these annual competitio­ns.

In a press conference in Lautoka, on Thursday, the pool draws for the Under-15, U17 and U19 and primary schools U14 were conducted.

Digicel gave $20,000 for the secondary school division and $15,000 for the primary schools competitio­n. Fiji FA gave $6400 for the girls’ competitio­ns.

“The Government has been supportive, there would have been no sporting activities if they had not approved.

“We are grateful for their considerat­ion to start having sports,” Primary Schools Associatio­n president Dina Mani said.

Secondary schools president Aminesh Ram said it had been 12 years since the IDC Secondary Schools has returned to Lautoka.

“Schools are competing hard to be part of our tournament, currently as the launching ceremony is done online.

“Schools are wanting to see, which pool they are in and they are so excited.

“We’re so fortunate that this tournament is possible with the support and assistance from Fiji FA and Digicel assistance,” he said.

According to Fiji FA vice-president

Aiyaz Musa, Digicel has been a major partner since 2020.

“Fiji FA is investing in the developmen­t of girls’ football, and this is the reason we have assisted the secondary schools, so they could organise eight school girls football competiton with an additional grant of $6400,” Musa said.

Digicel Fiji Regional Manager West Florence Eyre said, they were proud of Fiji FA and the extension of the naming rights from primary, secondary schools and girls football championsh­ips.

“This is a milestone for us and we’re very grateful for the opportunit­y,”

Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts representa­tive Rohitesh Chand said the ministry was an equal partner to the developmen­t of football in the country.

“We know we organise events of

such nature. It cannot happen by just one stakeholde­r and that is why we acknowledg­e Digicel in being a very influentia­l and important partner in this,” Chand said.

Digicel/Rams Cleaning 45 th Fiji Primary Schools Football Associatio­n IDC pools:

Pool 1: Rewa, Nalawa, Dreketi, Tavua, Nadi

Pool 2: Labasa,Nasinu, Suva, Taveuni, Nadroga.

Pool 3: NW/Nadroga. Seaqaqa, Navua, Bua, Tailevu

Pool 4: Ba, Rakiraki, Nadogo, Lautoka, Navosa

Digicel Fiji Secondary Schools Football Associatio­n IDC Pools Under 19

Pool 1: Natabua High School, Vashist Muni College, Labasa

Muslim College, Suva rep

Pool 2: Korovuto College , Sigatoka Methodist High School, AD Patel College Ba, Central College Lautoka

Pool 3: Nadogo College, Tavua College, Xavier College

Under 15: Vashist Muni College, Xavier College, Tilak High School, Labasa College

Under 17: Bulileka Sanatan College, Southern rep, Xavier College, Korovuto College

Girls Pool

1: Vunimono High School, Vunimoli Islamia College, Nadroga Arya College, Tavua College

Pool 2: Sabeto College, Xavier College, All Saints Secondary School, Vashist Muni College.

Feedback:

 ?? Photo: ?? Digicel Fiji regional manager West Florence Eyre during the pool draws in Lautoka on September 15, 2022. Salote Qalubau
Photo: Digicel Fiji regional manager West Florence Eyre during the pool draws in Lautoka on September 15, 2022. Salote Qalubau

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