Changes expected on venues

A CLOUD of doubt hovers over the exact dates and venues for the 30th version of the Champion vs Champion football series to kickstart the 2021 domestic football competitions.

According to the Fiji Football Association’s chief executive officer, Mohammed Yusuf, the possible changes were in light of the destruction inflicted by Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa in the Northern Division.

“In view of the impacts brought by the cyclone, the board will make a decision by January 4,” he said.

“The FFA board will decide on three options that will be considered.

“There can be doubleheaders in Suva or Labasa would be hosting a match at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori while the return leg is hosted by Suva at the ANZ Stadium.

“The other alternative would be to stick with the current program of Labasa hosting Suva at Subrail Park.

“We are liaising with Labasa Town Council and LFA in that regard, however an official confirmation would be revealed early next year.

“We will have a re-look at the series and the board will also decide whether the matches would be held on two-weekends.”

Defending CVC holders Labasa was scheduled to host the first leg on Friday, 23 January while the return leg was expected to be held in Suva on Sunday, January 31.

The CVC is a football tournament played between the national football league winner and the Inter-District Championship (IDC) winner; in case these are the same teams the winner of the Battle of the Giants (BOG) played.

A third match would be played at a neutral venue if the two legged series end in a draw to determine an outright winner.

Labasa is the current Courts IDC winner and the Capital City outfit had claimed the Vodafone Premier League and the Vodafone Fiji Football Association Cup (Fiji FACT) titles.

Meanwhile, Pillay Garments Manufacturing would be sponsoring the series for a record 21 times in 2021.