Baby Bula Boys ‘ready’

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PLAYERS in the Baby Bula Boys team are ready for the biggest tournament of their lives when they compete in the OFC Under-17 Championship, which begins in two weeks.

COVID-19 restrictions meant football at all levels was on hold in Fiji for nearly two years.

The players in the Baby Bula Boys team are 15-17-year-olds who missed out on playing at the Primary Inter District Championship while many missed out on playing at this year’s Secondary School IDC as well.

The side moved back into camp in Suva yesterday and coach Sunil Kumar said they were aware of what to expect.

“Oceania tournaments are always going to be tough, as all teams prepare well. We cannot underestimate any team, and we are preparing accordingly,” Kumar said.

“The players will be taking part in the biggest tournament of their lives so far and we can already see the excitement on their faces.”

Kumar added the players had been reminded now and then of their aim.

“We don’t get an opportunity to qualify to the World Cup every day and this could be one of the very few or if not the only chance most of these players will get to play at a World Cup.”

Kumar also thanked the hard work put in my coaches and scouts in the selection of the team.

“With football being on hold due to COVID, selection had become really tough. We started our selection process this year, and we involved school teachers, youth coaches and district coaches to organise trials.

“Our technical director Timo Jankowski was heavily involved in the selection process.”

Kumar did not waste time as the 23 players in camp, which included four overseas-based players, had their first training session in Suva yesterday afternoon.

Three of the overseas-based players are from New Zealand while one is from Australia.

The OFC U17 Championship will be played from January 11-28 at HFC Bank Stadium and Fiji FA Academy Grounds in Ba.

The Baby Bula Boys are in Group A with Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Samoa. They start their campaign against Samoa on January 11 at 7pm at the HFC Bank Stadium.

Fiji plays PNG in its second match on January 15 at 7pm and their final group match against Tonga on January 18 at 7pm.