It is a pleasure to be back sharing a thought on this column. I have been away overseas due to personal commitments and later I attended the FIFA congress in Hungary alongside Fiji Football Association vice president Dewan Chand and chief executive officer Bob Kumar before returning.
OFC Nations Cup
The disappointment of many fans due to our performance in the 2012 OFC Nations Cup is justified. Our dream to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup is over now after we failed to go past the group stages. The national side put up a strong challenge against New Zealand and later failed to maintain their performance as we bundled out. Lessons must be quickly learnt and we must now plan ahead for the future. A lot of work needs to be done and our focus for the future needs to be set.
In future we will need to relook at our selection process and look at how best we can implement the various factors like discipline during our preparation as the national squad is in camp.
We hope and pray for the quick recovery of national coaching director Juan Carlos Buzzetti who got injured in Solomons. Once he recovers he will be back to work and we have asked the coaches too soon to give us a plan for the near future.
The result at the Nations Cup is history now and we must see that we work hard to get the desired results in the next Pacific Games and 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
FIFA Congress
The FIFA congress was a very positive one where lots of new initiatives was discussed and it will be soon be implemented. As we look ahead Fiji FA is assured that more positive things are headed our way.
Inkk Battle of the Giants
As I stated earlier, the Inkk Mobile Battle of the Giants tournament will be played over 90 minutes. As one noticed that the national side struggled at the Nations Cup. It is important that we start playing 90 minutes football so that our players are prepared for the international stage and at the same time adapt to the duration.
Only eight teams will feature in the INKK BOG which will be held next month at Churchill Park in Lautoka. A deadline has been set whereby only the teams in the top eight positions will earn a spot at the BOG.
Courts Inter District Championship
I would like to cancel all the flying rumors. The Courts Inter District Championship will be held at Govind Park in Ba. A decision was made earlier this year that Ba will host the last major championship of the year and we will abide by it. A lot of fans from overseas and also locals have made plans and we must respect that
Vodafone Fiji FACT
I would like to congratulate Suva for winning the Vodafone Fiji FACT after seventeen years. The capital side was deserved winners and the result no doubt is a major boost for football in the Suva district.
Fiji FA MEDIA
Presidents Corner
