Six Sports Update: Ballu
With six sports in his portfolio for the 2019 Pacific Games, Team Fiji general manager Ajay Ballu tells of the updates and progress.
Ballu is given the responsibility to look after archery, cricket, football, taekwondo, beach volleyball and indoor volleyball.
ARCHERY
“The team actually went to New Zealand a week ago where five players competed and put up a good performance.
“They participated in NZ’s outdoor national target competition where they competed among top archers from New Caledonia, Tahiti and Samoa.
“Robert Elder, who is an elite archer, won two silver medals. And in addition we have young archers who have improved their performance as well.
“And as a result they finished on the top six position. The athletes are really doing well so we will just have to push them before naming the final squad during the Fiji Games in April.
“And straight after competition the team will be travelling to Netherlands for a world championship for the men’s team.
“It is also the men’s qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The Fiji Archery will host the Oceania Championship next year.”
CRICKET
“For Cricket Fiji a weekly competition is being organised every week at Albert Park by the Suva Cricket Association.
“The final trial is scheduled for April during the Fiji Games.
“However, the women’s national cricket team will be travelling to Vanuatu to compete in ICC World T20 competition.”
FOOTBALL
The Vodafone Premier League starts on Sunday and the Under-23 trials at the Fiji FA Academy in Ba.
“They are looking at selecting some of their players to play at the Pacific Games.
“In March, when the FIFA international window opens then they are expecting to name the national team and the head coach will confirm the details later.
“The Fiji FACT tournament will be held in Lautoka in May. And the national side will march into camp on June 18 to prepare.”
TAEKWONDO
“Taekwondo Fiji has two local tournaments to compete in before the Pacific Games which is scheduled for February 20 and the Fiji Games as the final trials for selection.
“However, the team will also be travelling to the World Taekwondo Championship in Korea in May.
“And just before the Pacific Games they have an Oceania Championship in Sydney to prove themselves as well. The side did well in the last event in November and also have organised weekly training sessions.”
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
“Beach Volleyball has announced 19 men and 16 women in their extended squad for the Pacific Games.
“The final trials are scheduled for Easter weekend during the Fiji Games.”
INDOOR VOLLEYBALL
“They’ve named their extended squad which will be reduced to 15. And they will name their final team during the Easter weekend.”
Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
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