Bula FC Names Anushil Kumar as Interim CEO – A Game-Changer for Fijian Football
Bula FC, Fiji’s first professional football club, has appointed Anushil Kumar as its Interim Chief Executive Officer, marking a major milestone in the nation’s football history.
The announcement was made during the club’s official launch in Suva, where Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel and Bula FC Chairman Mark McElrath highlighted the club’s vision to raise the standard of football across the Pacific.
“It is both an honour and a responsibility,” said Kumar in his first interview since the appointment.
“Bula FC is more than a team—it’s a national movement to give every Fijian player a chance to reach the professional stage.”
Kumar, who has served Fiji Football in several senior capacities, brings extensive administrative experience to the new club.
His immediate focus, he said, will be to establish the foundations of professional operations—from financial governance and technical staffing to youth-development pathways.
“Our goal is to ensure that every young footballer in Fiji sees a future in the game,” he explained.
“Bula FC will create pathways from school to professional football—opportunities that didn’t exist before.”
Under his leadership, the club will collaborate closely with the Fiji Football Association, private investors, and sponsors to ensure sustainability.
Kumar noted that the team is already working on player recruitment, community engagement, and commercial partnerships ahead of the 2026 OFC Professional League season.
“Professional football is new to Fiji, so we’re building everything from the ground up,” he said. “Our focus is on integrity, structure, and opportunity—for players, coaches, and fans alike.”
Kumar also emphasized the importance of uniting fans everywhere under the Bula Spirit.
“We want every supporter to feel part of this journey — whether they’re here in Fiji or anywhere around the world,” he said. “This is more than just a football club; it’s a game-changer for football in Fiji, uniting fans under one spirit and one vision — the spirit of Bula.”
The club’s leadership includes Chairman Mark McElrath, Acting Chief Commercial Officer Nazia Ali, and Head Coach Stéphane Auvray, all part of a team working to professionalize football in Fiji.
Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel described Kumar’s appointment as “a critical step in ensuring that Bula FC’s management aligns with our national development goals.”
“Anishil’s professionalism and deep understanding of the game make him the ideal leader to guide this project into its first professional season,” Patel said.
Bula FC is set to represent Fiji in the inaugural OFC Professional League beginning January 2026. The competition will feature eight clubs from across the Pacific and is backed by a USD 20 million investment from the Saudi Tourism Authority.
“This is a defining moment,” Kumar concluded. “For the first time, our players can dream of professional careers without leaving our shores. Bula FC will be the vehicle that turns that dream into reality.”
