It’s about time the Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) got a lambasting from a Government minister.
We all know that FIFA does not approve of any interference with the national football body, but I guess criticism is acceptable.
How long has the chief executive officer been at the helm of Fiji FA?
The incumbent president has been with Fiji FA since 2011. It is also foolhardy that the CEO advised the minister on their development plan. It must have an impressive 20-year development plan.
A classic example is their football academy in Vatuwaqa, Suva. When it rains and their ground is unplayable, the Fiji FA sends its men and women national teams to the Uprising Sports Centre in Pacific Harbour because that facility has an artificial turf.
Taking into consideration the Suva weather, Fiji FA could have built an artificial turf with floodlights at the academy and hire out its facility to the community, which would rake in revenue.
What is the point of building an academy if you cannot accommodate your national teams?
Fiji FA built a futsal court (cement) at the academy, but someone forgot to advise them of the weather in Suva. Finally, after years of sleeping on the job, they decided to refurbish from cement to an artificial turf. I guess having old timers at the helm takes a while to sink in.
In terms of funding, Fiji Football is the only organisation here that gets millions from FIFA. Unfortunately, due to the system and processes, FIFA does not get the real picture of the cabal within Fiji FA.
From its president to executives, most of the executives are there for personal gains. Business class tickets, match tickets to European games, etc; these are the incentives for the officials if they toe in line with the president. Not forgetting the vodka and chasseur during local tournaments.
Districts are also fearful for speaking out due to victimisation. The whole structure of Fiji FA is meant that people are there for decades rather than leave after serving their respective terms.
This is a classic example whereby democracies sometimes fall on their own sword, and no matter how deep rooted the issue is, we are only bystanders – helpless to the point of no return.
Story By: Jagen Prasad
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