Way forward

Evans suggests that football clubs be treated like a business

SETTING up clubs like a business is the way to go in this professional era, says Ivor Evans, one of Fiji’s first professional players who was present at the opening day of the Courts Inter District Championship in Nadi.

Evans says football has to turn professional if Fiji wanted to become a powerhouse in the Oceania region.

New Zealand leads the Oceania Football Confederation as the number one with the world ranking of 122 while Fiji sits as 163. Fiji’s best ranking was 94 in July 1994 and the worst ranking was 199 in July, 2015.

“Back in the ‘80s the level of football was much higher than I see now,” Evans said.

“At that time I could name 10 players from different districts who were the best.

“Now I only know Roy Krishna and other then that I do not see that anybody that gives me the X-Factor, to do things and can make things happen.”

Evans said professionalism was the right way to go.

DELTA Tigers Rewa threw Group B of the Courts Inter District Championship wide open after defeating hosts Nadi 2-0 at Prince Charles Park last night.

Nadi having defeated Suva 2-1 on Day One went into the fixture as the favourites but could not cope up with the pressure provided by the Southerners.

Gabiriele Matanasiga scored the opener for Rewa in the 44th minute while Tevita Waranaivalu doubled the account in the 56th minute.

Rewa goalkeeper Manasa Waqavou put up a man of the match performance making many grand saves against the Nadi attack.

The result came as a surprise after Rewa lost to Nasinu 2-1 on the opening day of the tournament.

Suva kept their semi-final hopes alive with a resounding 5-0 victory against Nasinu yesterday.

Nasinu failed to build on their momentum after upsetting Rewa 1-0 on day one.

Christopher Wasasala scored a hat trick while Ratu Anare and Sairusi Nalaubu scored the other goals for the Capital City boys who led 3-0 at halftime.

Tavua lost the plot in the last ten minutes against Labasa conceding two goals.

The minnows scored first through Marika Rawasoi’s penalty in the 13th minute and led 1-0 at the break.

Solomon Islander Dennis Ifunaoa equalised in the 80th minute for the Babasiga Lions while Antonio Tuivuna got the winner.