Futsal#(The proposed tour to participate in the Australian National Futsal Championship has been cancelled)#“We have to respect the decision of the Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) futsal commission in opting out. The reason why the participation in Australia has been cancelled because the key players are likely not be released by the districts as it will be primary time for tournaments (O-League) and the League will be there which is very important for the districts. So we are not going to take part in a tournament just for the sake of participating. The whole idea of participation was development of our players and to give them a chance to prepare for the OFC Futsal World Cup playoff. Fiji FA is not going to spend all this money just for the sake of participation as it must have a purpose. We have to respect the decision and recommendation of the Fiji FA futsal commission. #Club Competition#Fiji FA is concerned about these districts not developing their club competition. The RC Manubhai/Southern Forest National Club Championship playoffs, I went to see few games and it is quite indicative that the districts are not participating. Development of football in the district has to be at club level. When the club level is strong then the district level is strong and when the district level is strong and then the National level is strong. Fiji FA now is going to bring very strict rules, the first council meeting latest in January where all this decisions must be implemented. From next year we are going to get very strong on this question of district participation at club level.#Women’s Football#I have gone through the alleged report of Mr. Jack Reddy and I have made my own investigation. I will be carrying out further investigation on all these matters about accommodation, meals and so forth have been ridiculous comments by Mr. Reddy. I believe he has even written to Oceania and I would like to write an official letter to Oceania to see if I can get a copy. #Reynald Temarii#In view of Mr. Reynald Temarii’s suspension by FIFA an executive Oceania meeting has been called this Saturday. And they have invited all presidents who are not Oceania executives like my self to be present at that meeting because there are questions raised on the next Oceania congress which was scheduled for Tahiti in January but the word is that there are moves to have it postponed.#National U-17#The National U-17 team is in camp and we are keeping a very close watch. There are these two assistant coaches who are not coming so I have discussed this with the technical director and definitely there will be changes made because we are not going to appoint people just for the sake of appointing. We want results and if they are not able to contribute, fine we cannot force anyone but we considering of making changes but of course Hussein Sahib remains as coach. #National Team#We are planning to take the National senior team for an overseas tour. At the moment finance is our main concern. I will be in Auckland this weekend and I will be discussing with the NZ Fiji FA on this and see how they can assist. The American Fiji FA recently had their elections and a new board has come in. I have received an email and will be writing to ask if they could assist us like in 2007. Of course we are trying to arrange with Australian and NZ clubs.#Media#I must say that some media are making very negative comments and it is very disturbing that they do not take pride in the people of Fiji. And people are asking all sort of questions like a journalist from Fiji Live has written to FIFA condemning Fiji FA and all the protests which have been going on. She has no idea of how administration of football takes place and if people are protesting then what can we do, protests is not only new to Fiji it happens in other countries even in FIFA. Any ways Fiji FA is considering to take defamatory action against Fiji Live as she has written to FIFA saying there must be clean up of Fiji FA head. This is very poor reflection but I’m going to send her a formal letter of demand for apology and damages.#On the other hand I must congratulate the publisher, editor and owners of Fiji Sun that they are giving a very positive and of course constructive criticisms. Fiji FA is not concerned about criticism, in fact it invites constructive criticisms, if we are doing a mistake and something is not right we would like to put it right. But there are certain journalist who are just bent of giving Fiji FA a negative picture, everything is negative , they don’t give anything positive. #Letters to the editor I know most of it are not written by person whose name appears as I have been informed by a clear source. But be as it may I must say that Fiji Sun has also put in letters to the editor which is constructive criticism. One thing I must compliment the editor is that of not putting comments of any Tom, Dick and Harry saying anything they want. If they are constructive then they publish it. I must compliment Fiji Sun for the wonderful journalism and pride of the country that is helping Fiji FA to develop football in our beloved country. #
