The Fiji Football Association has officially appointed its new Technical Director, who was formally welcomed today by Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel at the Fiji FA Academy in Ba. He replaces outgoing director Timo Jankowski, whose contributions he praised while promising to build on the foundation already established.
Addressing the media after his appointment, the new Technical Director described the opportunity as a great honour. “It’s an absolute honour to stand before you today as the new Technical Director for the Fiji Football Association. I would like to begin by thanking the President, the Executive Committee, and everyone at the Fiji FA for the trust and confidence they’ve placed in me. I am truly humbled and excited to take on this important role.”
He stressed that his mission is to continue the positive work done by his predecessor while setting clear new goals. “I am not here to change everything because Timo Jankowski just before me did a fantastic job that I will humbly try to continue. My mission is clear: to work together with our coaches, players, clubs, and communities to raise the technical standards of the game at every level.”
Outlining his long-term vision, he said, “My vision is to build a sustainable and unified football structure across the country—starting at grassroots level and moving all the way to the national teams. That includes developing qualified coaches, improving talent identification, and creating clear pathways for young players to progress. Finally, I want to see Fiji consistently competing at a higher level in the region and beyond, with a strong footballing identity that reflects our local strengths.”
When asked about Fiji’s struggles in international competition, he responded, “We need to build a stronger foundation. International success is a result of long-term planning, not short-term fixes. That means investing in youth development, increasing the level of competition locally, improving physical conditioning, and modernizing our coaching. It won’t happen overnight, but with the right structures in place, the results will follow.”
He also highlighted the importance of blending international best practices with Fiji’s unique footballing culture. “I believe in mixing the best of global football practices with Fiji’s unique culture and talent. We will not just copy-paste another country’s model. Instead, we’ll adapt proven strategies to suit our environment and empower local coaches and players to succeed within that system.”
The director assured that development would not be concentrated only in major centres such as Suva and Ba. “We need a national approach, not a centralised one. I’ll be working with the FA to reinforce regional development centers, offer regular training and certification programs for coaches across all districts, and ensure young players everywhere get access to quality football education.”
Women’s football will also be a central focus under his leadership. “Women’s football is a key pillar in any modern football development plan. It will be fully integrated into our technical strategy—from grassroots to elite. We will support the women’s game with the same attention, resources, and long-term planning as the men’s game. There is huge potential, and we’ll be working hard to unlock it.”
He acknowledged the contributions of local coaches, including those without formal training, promising to create more opportunities for certification and professional development. “Experience is valuable, and we want to build on that. One of my goals is to create more opportunities for local coaches to become certified through accessible and practical training programs. I am not here to replace them—I am here to support and up skill them so they can lead the next generation of Fijian footballers.”
Finally, he delivered a message of encouragement to Fiji’s aspiring footballers. “Believe in yourself and trust the process. Talent is only one part of the journey—discipline, hard work, and the right mindset will take you further. We are working to build a system that supports your dreams. Stay committed, and you’ll have the chance to grow in this game.”
