Courtesy: Fiji Daily Post


FIJI IS HOME OF OCEANIA FUTSAL

FIJI is somehow on par with the rest of the world in term of facilities in soccer matches says Fiji Football Association president Doctor Shamshud-din Sahu Khan.

Khan’s comments come after Fiji was give the status of Oceania’s home in Futsal or five-a-side soccer.

Khan said this was a positive move by FIFA and Oceania Football Confederation in terms of recognising Fiji’s efforts to gain international recognition.

“This is a very positive sign for Fiji and we can only get better from here instead of critising me at every point,” he said.

“I had always believed in giving Fiji the best and we are starting to reap the benefits of the hard yards that Fiji FA had gone through amidst critics.”

He added this was something Fiji could be proud of as all island nation countries in the Pacific look up to Fiji.

“We have secured a lot in terms from FIFA and this is only the start. We have another project funded by FIFA which is another academy in the Capital City,” Khan said.

“Fiji will be the home of Oceania Futsal tournaments and Tahiti will become the venue of the FIFA Beach Soccer tournament. This has been approved by FIFA and OFC,” he added.

Meanwhile, Fiji and New Zealand will be the only venues to host the FIFA Oceania sanctioned matches in men’s Under-17, 20, 23 and women’s U-17, 20 and 23.

Khan said this was one of the best news ever for Fiji soccer as the Futsal would only cater for any teams but the status given for the full code in the football pitch shows that Fiji’s facilities are of international standards.

While he said some areas needed improvement, Fiji’s sporting facilities were much better than our Pacific island neighbours.

“Our grounds at the academy and Govind Park in Ba and Churchill Park are one of the best in the Pacific compared to our neighbours and we have only to be proud of this achievement,” Khan said.

But Samoa which hosted the 2007 Pacific Games has wonderful pitches too. Why weren’t they given consideration?

Khan said Apia Park was a very good ground but the venue at Faleata lacked parvillions and capacity crowd.







Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com