The Punjas Battle of the Giants (BOG) 2020 kicked off at Churchill Park in Lautoka last weekend with the pool matches taking place from Friday, August 07, till Sunday, August 09.
Top 4 confirmed
After an exciting three days of pool matches, Priceline Pharmacy Ba qualified as winner from Group A with Flow Valves/Island Accommodation Suva as runner up while All in one Builders (NZ)/Professional Valuation Nadi topped Group B while Delta One Automotive Repairs Rewa qualified as runner up.
In the first semifinal, the Men in Black will take on the current league leaders Rewa at 2pm followed by the Jetsetters taking on the Capital City Boys at 4pm.
New winner to be crowned
A new winner will be crowned at this year’s BOG after defending champion Sharma’s Investment (USA) Labasa was bundled out of the tournament from the pool plays. The Ronil Lal-coached side failed to register a win as all their pool matches against Suva, Ba and Nasinu ended in a 1-1 draw.
AG officiates at opening ceremony
The Attorney-General and the Minister for Economy, Civil Service and Communications Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was the chief guest at the Punjas BOG 2020 official opening ceremony on Friday.
In his message for the BOG souvenir program, the Hon. AG said, “Despite the well-earned global reputation of our ruggers, Fiji’s athletic ambitions don’t end at the rugby pitch. Football has been a part of who we are as Fijians for all of our independent history. From young people playing in our parks, to our club team contests, to international stars like Roy Krishna, Fiji is football country. Whether it’s building new parks or supporting our national team, your government is committed to kicking up the standing of Fijian football.”
44 Goals scored
A total of 44 goals were scored in the first three days of the tournament last week.
Leading the golden boot race is Avinesh Suwamy (Nadi), Marlon Tahioa (Nasinu) and Jasnit Vikash (Nasinu) with three goals each.
Behind them are Samuela Drudru (Ba), Setareki Hughes (Rewa), Abbu Zahid (Ba) and Josua Tawake (Nadi) who have registered two goals each.
Surprising results
Football fans and officials present at the venue witnessed a few surprising results during the pool matches, in one of which saw the defending champion bidding the tournament goodbye.
Go Fry Nasinu was a surprise package in the tournament as they registered some shocking results. The giant-killers, after a disappointing loss to Ba in its opening match, came back strong and punished Suva 3-1 in their second pool match before holding Labasa to a 1-1 draw to send the defending champion out of the tournament. Nasinu slipped out of a semifinal after on goal difference which was in favour of the Capital City side.
Season newcomers Navua also held their heads high despite being unsuccessful in making it to the knockout stages. The Koromakawa Rentals and Tours-sponsored side finished third in group B after the southerners bagged a shocking 3-1 victory over hosts Hyperchem Lautoka who did not register any point in the tournament.
Anti-doping tests continued, 1 tested positive
A total of 72 anti-doping tests were conducted over three days of pool matches in Lautoka last weekend. The tests being conducted are for marijuana and this time, eight tests were conducted for hard drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine.
Only one test came out positive which resulted in Saula Waqa of Ba getting suspended from all levels of football for the next three years as this was the second time for Waqa to be tested positive.
Fiji FA makes profit
Fiji Football Association President Rajesh Patel says the art of running football as business has seen the sport rake in $2.4m in profit for the last financial year.
Fiji FA in its 82nd annual congress in Lautoka revealed the figure with Patel paying tribute to those who had worked hard in helping the association raking in the amount.
“We run the association transparently when you have independent committees that runs it and vets acquittals before expenditures. This is something as an organization you have to make sure that it is the general public’s money that comes through football, so we as administrators have to make sure we run the organization in an independent and transparent manner.”
Patel also confirming that FIFA under its COVID-19 assistance will be giving $1.5m to each of its member associations.
New Vice president
Businessman Aiyaz Musa is now Fiji FA’s vice president west after been elected unopposed during Fiji Football Associations 82nd Ordinary Congress at the Sugarcane Growers Council hall in Lautoka last Friday.
Musa was already serving in the Fiji FA Board as appointed VP and deputy finance committee chairman.
BE A LEADER
Fiji Football Association was presented with a banner from FASANOC officials which was signed by the districts participating in the 2020 Punjas Battle of the Giants tournament at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.
The players and official supported FASANOC in its campaign against “No to Drugs”
