Patel unhappy
THE Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel has expressed disappointment with the turnout at the 2019 Courts Inter District Championship which ended in Nadi yesterday.
As a result he expects the tournament to break even.
With the demise of Western favourites Nadi and Ba from the premier semi-finals, a low turnout was recorded during the final action yesterday.
However, Patel was upbeat with the football on display saying it was a success in terms of the tight games played and the fitness level of the players.
“The semi-final matches were exciting and with the Lords grace the weather held up but only on the final day gave its blessing with the rain and the ground conditions became heavy so you could not see good finishing,” Patel said.
“Thanks to Courts for sponsoring the IDC again and in the future they will be continuing their sponsorship.
“It was a little bit disappointing with the crowd turnout in Nadi. But as far as football is concerned we are happy with the development.
“We don’t know of the revenue and expenses but we might just break even.”
Patel said the venue for next year’s tournament was yet to be decided.
He confirmed that Subrail Park in Labasa was still out of contention to host tournaments with the occupational health and safety (OHS) issues.
Patel has urged the municipal councils to lift the standard of their playing facilities.
“We are thankful to the Nadi Town Council and their grounds committee for preparing the ground well in a short notice,” he said.
“Subrail Park needs improvement because the stadium still has OHS problems so until that is sorted out we cannot say when a tournament will be held there.” Premier division: Four- Christopher Wasasala (Suva); Three-Benjamin Totori (Lautoka), Antonio Tuivuna (Labasa); TwoIlisoni Logaivau (Labasa), Gabiriele Cabenalawa Matanisiga (Rewa), Rusiate Matarerega (Nadi), Sairusi Nalaubu (Suva), Dave Radrigai (Lautoka), Marika Rawasoi (Tavua); Dennis Ifunaoa (Labasa). One- Ratu Anare Apenisa (Suva), Samuela Drudru (Lautoka), Gagame Feni (Suva), Zainal Hussein (Lautoka), Siotame Kubu (Labasa), Christopher Kumar (Nadi), Akuila Mateisuva (Labasa), Joseph Avinash Mishra (Nasinu), Mavileko Nakama (Tavua), Ashnil Raju (Labasa), Kavaia Rawaqa (Rewa), Lekima Rokolisoa (Tavua), Luke Savu (Nasinu), Abbu Zahid (Ba), Avinesh Suwamy (Ba), Micah Tommy (Ba) Jone Vonu Junior (Lautoka), Sanaila Waqanicakau (Ba), Tevita Waranaivalu (Rewa), Usaia Tadu (Nasinu). Senior division: Four- Vineet Chand (Navua), Jonas Naceva (Nadroga); ThreeTaniela Rakariva (Lami); Two- France Catarogo (Lami), Tevita Koroi (Tailevu Naitasiri), Sharad Kumar (Navua), Apisai Sesewa (Lami), Mesake Suiloa (Savusavu); One- Krishneel Dutt (Nadroga), Mosese Balenagaga (Navua), Ravneet Chand (Lami), Shavneet Chandra (Savusavu), Thomas Dunn (Navua), Joseph Elder (Navua), Shanil Kumar (Lami), Nischal Rohan Lal (Northland Tailevu), Mannav Permal (Navua), Saynal Subin Prasad (Dreketi), Kavneel Prasad (Seaqaqa), Mohammed Fataul Raheem (Seaqaqa), Setareki Sokoiwasa Raiole (Dreketi), Sanil Reddy (Northland Tailevu), Semesa Sacere (Nadroga), Netani Suluka (Dreketi), Tomasi Ratukove Tuicakau (Nadroga), Joji Vasua (Northland Tailevu), Jasnit Vikash (Lami), Charles Vakarau Williams (Nadroga), Mohammed Yaseen (Lami), Krishneel Dutt (Nadroga), Krishneel Dutt (Nadroga),.